Shortly after 4 p.m., Sept. 13, the sharp punch of drums reverberated across the Green like a gunshot.
     The percussive sound marked the beginning of the seventh annual Party on the Green at the University of North Florida.
     This

Daniel Decelles, a freshman in engineering and Chrissi Coneilio, a freshman in graphic design, dance the macarena to win a prize. Photo by Daniel Bearl

year's Party on the Green, brought to students by Osprey Productions and Student Government, was a three-hour event featuring live music, free food, games and prizes.
     "Everything was a big success," said Jerrid Kalakay, director of OP. "It went better than expected."
     Students who attended the party could eat Subway sandwiches and wear inflatable sumo suits in which they were able to "throw down" for a little friendly combat.
     Three ska and punk bands, all from Florida, provided the music this year.
     Sucker Punch started off the show with a sound reminiscent of Sublime's more reggae tracks and a splash of mid-90s punk. This was Sucker Punch's second time playing Jacksonville, said bassist Yellow.
     "We just fell in love with the city and took the first chance to come back," Yellow said.
     Following Sucker Punch, Jacksonville's Armchair Patriot took the stage. As the only band at the party without horns, Armchair patriot brought a more punk sound to the event.
     The Spitvalves, also from Orlando, gave the final performance. With six members in the band, the Spitvalves left little room on the stage. The band started it set by showing its respect for the recent passing of a music legend.
     "I'd like to have a brief moment of silence for the great Mr. [Johnny] Cash," said Charlie Bender, vocalist for the Spitvalves, before the band launched into its fast ska set.
     Bender, free from any instrument other than his voice, moved about the stage with an almost manic energy, even going so far as to climb atop the large speakers at the edge of the stage.
     Each band played for 30 to 45 minutes.
     In between acts, Kalakay took the stage to make announcements and raffle off prizes.
     This year's prizes included gift certificates for tattoos at Inksmith and Rogers, tanning sessions at Tan USA and the grand prize, a Playstation 2.
     Other prizes, such as t-shirts and discount coupons for the Sahara Café, were given to students who performed stunts such as dancing the Macarena or racing against other students.
     Nearly two months of planning went into this event, Kalakay said. He said much of it involved picking bands, securing food and approving vendors.
     The bands were chosen over the summer by a core group of OP members who kept in touch through e-mail.
     The planning was a bit difficult, Kalakay said, because OP had to begin working on the event before the first meeting of the semester and before many OP members had returned from break.
     One of the biggest strategies in putting on the event, said Kalakay, was in the promotion. He said OP worked hard this year to reach out to the students and let them know about the event.
     The students at the party, many UNF residents, heard about the party in different ways. Most of them said they enjoyed the event.
     Chrissi

Students running to catch coupons to the Sahara Cafe thrown from the stage by Osprey Productions Director Jerrid Kalakay. Other prizes given out at the Party on the Green included coupons for tanning sessions, tattoos and a Sony Playstation. Photo by Daniel Bearl

Consiglio, a freshman graphic design major, saw this year's Party on the Green as a great way to hang out with friends and meet new people. Consiglio said she first heard about the party after being handed a flyer after a karaoke party at Wackadoo's.
     Evita Thomas, a junior in health administration, said she wants to become involved with OP.
     "These events bring us closer together with very diverse and different types of people," Thomas said.
     Also at the event were vendors and other UNF clubs, which provided information to students.
     The African-American Student Union and Osprey Radio both had information booths set up for students, and there were booths from local businesses such as Inksmith and Rogers and Tan USA.
     Kalakay said the next big event for students will be the Come out and Play concert series.
     "Individually they aren't that big, but collectively they will be," Kalakay said. "It's really the biggest thing we're putting together for this fall."

Contact Daniel Bearl at spinnakerfeatures@yahoo.com.