Car brings excitement to University Student
Union
By Wes Woods II
Daily Forty-Niner
Everything -- the music, the video game
simulation, the skateboarders -- revolved around a car.
The Focus Californopia Tour '99, promoted
by the College Entertainment Network, came to Cal State Long Beach on Wednesday,
with various forms of entertainment in front of the University Student
Union.
The event was geared toward promoting the
Ford Focus, an automobile aimed at college students, said Rachel Braver,
a spokeswoman for the network.
Alternative music blasted from speakers
located in front of the Student Union, drawing a crowd students.
"I thought that maybe Smash Mouth would
be here," said Robin Clark, a senior majoring in liberal studies. "You
never know."
"The music here is good," added Edwin Shiroma,
a freshman with an undeclared major.
"The promotion did a good job the way they
attracted people," Shiroma said. "Everyone loves free refreshments."
A treasure hunt, in which students had
to answer various questions about the Ford Focus, was just one of the giveaways.
Students would receive a free "best of Focus Californopia Tour '99" compact
disc and were entered to win a Santa Cruz snowboard.
Promoters also gave away free cups of SoBe,
a popular beverage.
A Ford auto racing simulation video game
entertained students.
Two live bands, Jact and The Flys, performed
along with skateboarders and roller bladers performing tricks on a half
pipe.
The promotion came to CSULB because of
its location and large population, said Christina Edler, the eventís manager
and producer.
Edler said she had a wish list of 15 campuses,
which included Long Beach.
"[The campus] has been one of the easiest
to work with so far," Elder said. "[Student Union program assistant] Patrick
Wong has been a huge help," she said. "Precious Robinson, [Student Union
programming coordinator] was also accommodating."
Ten campuses will be included in the California
promotional tour, which started with UC San Diego and USC. The tour will
next visit UC Santa Barbara.
"[The campus] is real mellow, real laid-back,"
said Brandon Williams, a promotional tour assistant who was helping with
the treasure hunt.
The network hopes the tour will go nationwide
next year, Braver said. It would still include Long Beach in the tour,
she added. |
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