CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Brooks, 6 (left) and Grace Carrion, 4, enjoy a ride on the ferris wheel on opening evening of the 31st annual Spring Fling. The annual carnival runs until Sunday evening.

Students were welcomed with warm weather, loud music and high spirits at Spring Fling yesterday afternoon.

The outlook was positive for the upcoming weekend and Spring Fling coordinators said they expect a lot more students than last year because the carnival does not fall on Easter weekend.

Other universities from all over the country host carnivals to raise money, but the UA outnumbers them in every area, said Amanda Meaker, Spring Fling executive director.

"We have the most student volunteers, our event is four days long which is a lot longer than other Spring Flings," Meaker said. "We also have many more rides, and a lot more people come to Spring Fling so we make a lot of money."

Meaker said the fact that they hire a professional carnival company also helps with sales.

"This is a fun event that is so much fun to share with the community," Meaker said.

The Spring Fling opening was quiet with few patrons entering the field to enjoy the food and rides, but that didn't stop student volunteers from having a good time.

"We are having a blast hanging out with the other clubs," said Dan Glad, a volunteer for the Chi Phi quesadilla stand. "This is the best money maker for us, we can make $1,800 at a good Spring Fling so we are just making the best of it."

Eating the delicious treats at Spring Fling is one thing, but winning a prize at one of the various games is something completely different.

"The people who have played have been very excited about winning prizes," said Mike Wilson, a Pi Kappa Phi brother working at a dart throwing game booth. "Except for one girl who didn't like her choice of prizes."

Winning a prize is awesome for patrons but can be a bummer for clubs raising money.

"Every time prizes are given away we lose money, but it's still fun to see people excited about winning," said Bradford Crespo, a member of Omega Delta Phi who was working at the basketball booth.

With so many clubs raising money in a single area the competition can be fierce. In order to get the attention of potential buyers, members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity wore giant banana suits to gain attention for their Jamba Juice stand.

"I'm not gonna lie, I'm getting a little sweaty in this suit," said Mikey Julien, a criminal justice sophomore and banana for the day. "But it's been fun. My goal is to go on the Zipper in the banana suit."

Spring Fling is a popular place to bring a date because there is so much to do. One couple was amazed with all of the clubs participating.

"We think it's pretty amazing that there are so many clubs on campus that can come together to make a carnival this large," said Noah Miretsky, a senior majoring in English. "We just went on the Zipper and it was so much fun."

Miretsky's girlfriend said she was looking forward to what was hopefully going to happen later in the night.

"He's going to win one of those really big stuffed animals for me before the night is over," said Johanna Boyd, a sophomore majoring in English.

The Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan will be selling Mexican desserts for the first time this year, and club members said they are excited to see how well their dessert sells.

"We've done food in the past and this is the first year we've done a dessert," said Vanessa Gallego, a Mexican-American Studies senior. "Tomorrow we'll have leis and bathing suits to keep it fun inside the booth."

As the sun started to set and the air started to cool, more people showed up to have dinner and enjoy rides.

Students can enjoy the festivities until Sunday night. Parking at the event is $1 and UA students can get into Spring Fling for free with a CatCard, and all-day ride passes are available for $20 today.

A free shuttle service is available to pick up students in front of Old Main and take them to Rillito Park, 4502 N. First Ave., every half-hour.

Students who plan to enjoy the events during the day should drink plenty of water, wear loose-fitting clothing and plenty of sunscreen, Meaker said.