"Are you a freshman?" was the question of the afternoon Saturday on the Reitz Union north lawn.
Amid the booming music, dance performances and water balloon fights, student organizations vied for recruits from the new freshman class.
Despite the heat, a record number of students were in attendance for the eighth annual Gatormania carnival. Sports clubs, community service organizations and multicultural fraternities and sororities all had members on hand to talk to potential recruits.
As step-style dance shows energized the crowd under the colonnade, concession workers handed out a constant stream of bottled water. By mid-afternoon, water balloons were scarce. Other attractions included a water slide, rock wall, fashion and talent show, pizza and refreshments.
Most freshmen in attendance were there by choice, having heard about the event from Preview staffers of Weeks of Welcome.
Others, however, were required to attend and sign in as an assignment for the First Year Florida course.
Luis Nobriga, director of this year/s event, said 110 organizations registered, the largest number to date. He estimated the attendance at more than 1,000 students, also the most in the event/s history.
Representing the university/s crew team, Mary Coursen said the turnout was better than she expected. The previous year it had rained, and the club took advantage of the improved weather this year.
Coursen said she was surprised crew was the only sports organization at the event.
Freshmen from all backgrounds were present. Tracey Ngeyen, working the Asian American Student Union table, said it was the most diverse crowd she has seen in the past four years.
The event originally started as Salsamania in 1999, organized by Lamba Theta Phi, a Latin American fraternity.
The fraternity continues to maintain close involvement with the event. Edgardo Hernandez, Lamba Theta Phi brother and director of Gatormania in 2005 and 2006, said when the event began, there were no welcoming events for new students in the summer.
Now the event is geared toward "introducing students to all the resources UF has to offer and to get everyone excited for the coming year," Hernandez said.
The event grew each year, and in 2002 the Dean of Students Office took over. It was renamed Gatormania to include all organizations and students.
Darius Handz, a member of the new class of 2013, said the event overall was fun and energetic, and the spirit and enthusiasm "really gets you excited to be on campus."
