Fling 1994: Stranger flings have happened

Stranger flings have happened, or at least that's what Spring Fling coordinators think. "Spring Fling 1994: Stranger Flings Have Happened" will be the theme for this year's annual carnival, organizers said last night. Spring Fling directors Jennifer Raymond, Kofi McCleary and Gil Beverly said last night the theme was picked from suggestions submitted by students during a recent survey handed out at Dining Services. Spring Fling -- which is traditionally held in the Upper and Lower Quadrangle -- will take place April 15 and 16 this year, the directors added. College freshman Allison O'Brien came up with the winning idea for this year's theme, and won $50 for being selected. "It just came to me," she said last night. "I'm really surprised." O'Brien's idea beat out other suggestions, which took runner-up honors, including "Deep Space Fling," "Chia Fling," "Funkadelic Fling" and "Let Freedom Fling." Beverly, a Wharton sophomore, said the Spring Fling Committee has yet to come up with decoration ideas or a design for the event, but added that both are forthcoming. "That's kind of the beauty of this theme -- there's plenty of room for creativity," he said. "Within the next couple of months we'll put something together. "I'm sure it will be very interesting and creative, [but] as of yet we're still working on it," he added. Last year's theme was "Three Ring Fling: The Greatest Fling on Earth," and the Quad was appropriately decorated in circus decor. The planners also would not give details of this year's Spring Fling band, which will be announced in the next few weeks. "We're looking into the biggest act we can possibly get," Raymond said. "We're [also] looking into diversity -- trying to appeal to everybody." She added that her committee has received many suggestions from students, including Madonna, Depeche Mode, Phish, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers and "all the really top people." Last year's band was Living Colour, but the concert was canceled at the last minute due to bad weather. Other recent groups have included the Indigo Girls and Blues Traveller. O'Brien said she is excited about her first Fling. "I'm definitely looking forward to it," she said. "I think it will be cool to see what they do with [the theme] as far as the T-shirts and souvenirs and everything." The directors said they will be holding another contest, offering a $100 prize for the best T-shirt design. Raymond said, above all, the committee has one unified goal. "We are all praying for sunny, warm weather," she said.