As the end of the school year approaches, the traditional LakerFest carnival is set to take place at Grand Valley State University as part of the Laker Traditions ExtravaGRANDza. Spotlight Productions is partnering with Laker Traditions to put together this free event as a way for students to have some fun before the stress of final exams and last-minute projects starts to pile up.

LakerFest will be held Friday, April 21, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the Kirkhof Lawn. During this event, students can expect to be entertained with inflatables, music, food and more.

“LakerFest is our end-of-the-year carnival just to celebrate the fact that we made it through the year once again,” said Emily Sergent, the special events co-chair for Spotlight Productions.

Sergent said LakerFest has been providing an avenue for students to have some fun before hitting the books and studying for finals for several years.

“I believe this was one of the original events started by Bob Stoll (associate dean for Student Life) back in 1983 when we were founded,” she said.

Sergent said the organizers wanted to keep the tradition alive because students love it.

“They get to have fun and take their stress out on the obstacle courses, have some free ice cream and just have a good time before they get really stressed out,” she said.

Sergent said Spotlight Productions partnered with Laker Traditions because of budgeting. With the help of Laker Traditions, the student organization has a greater amount of money to provide students with entertainment at the LakerFest

“Since this is a traditional carnival every year, and they are Laker Traditions, we thought it would be a good way to join forces,” she said.

Sergent said Laker Traditions provides a lot for the event by bringing all the food, bringing the balloon artist and more.

“They’re great to have on our team because we can always use the extra help,” Sergent said.

Greg Ziegenfelder, member of the Laker Traditions team and co-coordinator of the ExtravaGRANDza, said the Laker Traditions team puts on 10 events throughout the year and this is the last one of the year.

“It’s basically like a big party for people for getting through the year,” Ziegenfelder said. “It’s the end of the year celebration. (People) have been working hard all year, so this is a way to celebrate your hard work and getting good grades.”

Spotlight Productions and Laker Traditions will both contribute elements to LakerFest in a collaborative effort.

“Spotlight brings things like inflatables and character artist,” Ziegenfelder said. “We’re bringing things like food, yard activities, balloons, water and things.”

Sergent encouraged students to attend LakerFest.

“Students should come just because it is for them,” she said. “They always need a break, and this is a way to kind of take a Friday, come to LakerFest, have some fun and get free things. We’re putting it on for them.”