Despite cutbacks in Spring Fling's budget, this year's carnival will have some new additions on the UA McKale Lawn.

"Spring Fling is back and it's better," is the message on billboards around the city, and Kirk Seeley, business and public administration senior who is executive director for the carnival, said the changes have made this year's event more professional.

The carnival will begin today and run through Sunday.

This is the 22nd year for Spring Fling, the largest student-managed carnival in the country, and about 40,000 people are expected to attend. Just over 35,000 people attended last year's event, Seeley said.

Seeley said some of the biggest changes the carnival has made this year include a corporate sponsorship and a budget cutback.

When asked about the corporate sponsorship, he said, "It has given us great exposure € more than we've probably had in one year in the community."

The new plan creates a partnership with Domino's Pizza, KMSB Channel 11, Fry's Food and Drug Store, Jack Furrier's Western Tire Centers, and KLPX 96.1 FM. Seeley said Spring Fling estimates the sponsors will bring in almost $150,000 for the carnival.

Seeley said Spring Fling does not really make a profit from the event. It operates under the Associated Students of the University of Arizona on a break-even basis.

In total revenue, about $500,000 changes hands, he said. In the end, Spring Fling pays about $75,000 to clubs and organizations every year from what it earns.

Spring Fling gets about $210,000 from ASUA to promote the carnival and to pay for costs and expenses, but Seeley said that amount doesn't even touch what the carnival costs.

"The more we cut back, the better chance the clubs and organizations have to be profitable," he said, "and the purpose of Spring Fling is to provide a fund-raising event for these clubs and organizations."

One of the biggest areas Spring Fling has cut back on is with clothing. He said it used to spend about $20,000 for staff clothing. This year, it didn't fund sweatshirts and it ordered less T-shirts, which saved about $10,000.

The carnival has also reduced the amount of money spent on marketing, he said. "We are constantly focusing on key demographic establishments."

Seeley said Spring Fling chose KMSB and KLPX as its exclusive media outlets because their demographic audience is typically 18- to 34-year-old people, which is the age group the carnival targets.

One of the additions Spring Fling will have this year is more free attractions, including a laser light show.

The show will be displayed on the side of the McKale Center on a 50-by-50-foot screen tonight, tomorrow and Saturday night at 10 p.m.

On the main stage tomorrow night, students can hear the music of Dada and Fishbone beginning around 8 p.m. Actor and comedian Pauly Shore will take the stage around 8:30 p.m. Saturday night.

Other attractions beginning at 5 p.m. tomorrow night include Joe Rush, The Carvin Jones Band, and Super 8. Saturday, Carvin Jones will play again, along with Tenth House and Frank Lloyd Vinyl.

On Sunday, Seeley said, there will be a free attraction with the newest in virtual reality simulation.

Also Sunday, the Easter Bunny will be on hand during an Easter egg hunt at 1 p.m., with prizes for kids.

Spring Fling has made changes in the layout of the field. One example is a food court with tables and umbrellas where people will be able to sit down and eat.

He said there will also be game booths operated by students on the field, where people can win prizes like teddy bears. There will be 26 carnival rides and five entertainment booths.

One thing about the carnival that has stayed the same is wristband night, when people can pay one price that allows them to go on any offered ride as many times as they want. It is tonight, and the wristbands cost $18 at the gate or $15 if purchased at Fry's stores before Spring Fling opens.

Student tickets are $4 at the gate, $3 at Fry's. Other tickets are $5 at the gate or $4 at Fry's. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

Seeley said that if people come to the carnival Thursday, Friday or Saturday, they can receive a discount coupon for Sunday. The carnival runs Thursday and Friday 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

Although Spring Fling runs during Passover and Easter, Seeley said they can't change the dates because Spring Fling is traditionally the first weekend of April.

He said it would be difficult to change the dates because they use the same carnival company that runs the Pima County Fair, which begins four days later.