Involvement opportunities will abound at today’s annual Campus Fest.

The event will take place from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. in the courtyard between University Hall, Prout Chapel, the Administration Building and McFall Center. Tables will also be set up in front of the Union. A free all-campus picnic will be held from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Resident Student Association President Ashley Rauckhorst said the purpose of Campus Fest is to have everyone on campus learn more about student organizations.

Campus Fest is geared toward new students on campus who might not know much about the different activities on campus, she said.

All registered student organizations are invited to staff tables and provide information about their organization.

There will also be a free picnic, inflatables, live entertainment and games. According to Rauckhorst, Campus Fest is an opening to the school year.

“I really like the atmosphere of Campus Fest,” Rauckhorst said. “It’s a perfect time for it because it kicks off the school year.”

Undergraduate Student Government President Alex Wright said the event can introduce students to the inner workings of USG.

The organization will participate in today’s event and is sponsoring a dunk tank.

“Campus Fest is a premier community building event,” he said. “It’s important because it’s a great way to get our faces out there.”

For the second time, Campus Fest will also include the University’s Merchant Fair.

The Merchant Fair includes volunteer agencies, area businesses and businesses that are part of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce.

Gordy Heminger, interim coordinator of Student Organizations said the purpose of the fair is to promote area businesses to the University community.

There are benefits to having the Merchant Fair as part of Campus Fest, Rauckhorst said.

“Having the Merchant Fair be a part of Campus Fest is good because it gives the students a chance to learn more about the town as well as the campus,” she said.

Andrea Hoffman, assistant manager at Sam Goody, said that the store will have a table set up at the Merchant Fair.

“Our goal is that more students will know we are here at the Woodland Mall,” she said. “I’ve met students that say, ‘I’ve been at BGSU for three years, and I never knew you were in town.'”

Businesses participating in the event will have giveaways and information on their services. Some businesses, like Sam Goody, will have special deals to offer students.

Hoffman said at Sam Goody, students can pay a $2 or $3 deposit and when a movie or game is released, one will be set aside for them. She also said that she hopes this effort will boost sales for the store.