As summer vacation summons students with warm gusts of wind and sunny days to laze in the sun, some GVSU students might want to work on their tans instead of their studies.

Spotlight Productions encourages students to schedule an afternoon break from the books. The student organization will host Lakerfest, a period of free food and fun activities, from noon to 4 p.m. Friday in the Kirkhof Center lobby and lounge.

All components of Lakerfest will be available to students free of charge, and Spotlight members encourage students to leave for classes several minutes early Friday to grab a bag of popcorn or a sno cone.

“For everything we are doing, we’re using companies from Grand Rapids and the Allendale area,” said Spotlight Etc. chair Olivia Auvenshine. “We’re keeping it local.”

For example, the Henne artist is Stephanie Mayne from Urban Boheme Henne in East Town. Family Friendly Entertainment from Grandville will provide the caricature artist.

Auvenshine said the local entertainment allows Spotlight to provide free food and fun at this year’s Lakerfest.

Operating under the theme “Life’s a Beach,” Lakerfest is a celebration of the last day of classes before finals week and the spring/summer semesters begin.

The Hawaiian theme represents the coming of final exams, Auvenshine said. Students can enjoy lais, fresh-squeezed lemonade and Hawaiian decorations in preparation for vacation.

Last year, Spotlight Productions offered a Lakerfest on a minute scale, providing food and beverages for students before finals week. This year, Auvenshine said the student organization has made the event larger, bringing more novelty items to campus.

“Lakerfest will celebrate the last day of classes before people have to buckle down before exams,” Auvenshine said. “Everyone loves free items.”

Spotlight Productions will also have a small information table for students interested in joining the student group next year. Students can help with such events as guest singers and comedians and the homecoming show.

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