Wares Fair and Fire Up Fest partner together to kick off football season

(NOTE: This article originally appeared in the August 27, 2008 edition of Central Michigan Life.)

While the football team does not officially open its season until Thursday night at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, that does not mean the stadium will be without activity.

The annual Wares Fair and Fire Up Fest will begin at 6 p.m. tonight in Kelly/Shorts Stadium for students to meet the local business community tonight and to celebrate the upcoming football season.

Wares Fair will run until 7 p.m.

Wares Fair and Fire Up Fest is sponsored by Central Michigan Life, the athletics department, the Student Alumni Association, University Recreration and the office of Student Life.

Kathy Simon, assistant director of Student Publications, said that in previous years, the two events have not had a relationship.

"We always noticed that the Wares Fair and Fire Up Fest were running at the same time, so it made sense to partner with them," Simon said.

More than 100 vendors will provide free food, coupons, giveaways and samples of services from various companies, and is expected to have between 7,000 and 8,000 attendees, she said.

Wares Fair was established in 1970 as a way for new students to see what services are available off campus so they know what thev greater Central Michigan community has to offer, according to the CMU Web site.

Mike Dabbs, assistant director of marketing with the athletics department, said sponsors have found a great formula by partnering Wares Fair and Fire Up Fest.

"We had such tremendous success last year, we decided to not change much with both events this year," Dabbs said.

The CMU Bookstore will also give away T-shirts to the first 5,000 people through the gate.

The pep-rally will feature the CMU marching band, cheerleaders and dance teams. Also making appearances at the rally will be head football coach Butch Jones, his coaching staff and the football team.

The athletic department also will sell parking passes for spots in the tailgate lot.

Full season passes for parking will be sold for $25, and individual game passes will be available for $6 a game. Passes will be available at the north ticket booth.

Dabbs said this year's event should be an exciting one.

"We are very excited about Fire Up Fest this year. We feel it's a great way for the students and the community to get aware for the upcoming season and lets the team know that the students and community are behind them," he said.