Frontier Fiesta

Frontier Fiesta is a three day event at the University of Houston that takes place on campus every spring semester, usually in the last weekend of March to the first weekend in April. At this event student groups perform variety shows, host carnival booths and put on multicultural performances, cookers participate in a large cook-off competition, and the night offers free concerts by big name performers. Money raised from Frontier Fiesta goes to 10 scholarships offered to incoming freshmen.

History

In 1940 a group of students started a tradition known as Frontier Fiesta. This annual event had variety shows performed by students and concerts and was intended to bring together University of Houston students and the Houston community. The tradition grew tremendously over the next few years and became hugely popular. Hollywood stars such as Humphrey Bogart, James Garner, Anne Baxter, Kenny Rogers, and Patsy Swayze were attracted to the annual event and LIFE magazine dubbed it, "The Greatest College Show on Earth".

Unfortunately, the annual tradition became too large and involved as the event was having a considerable impact academically for the students involved. Due to this, Frontier Fiesta was discontinued in 1959.

In 1992, a group of students worked to bring back the tradition of Frontier Fiesta, and to this day it is again an annual tradition at the University of Houston.

In the last couple of years, the event has attained a mass following, collaborating with artists such as T.I., Nore and Cobra Starship.

External links

* [http://www.uh.edu/fiesta Frontier Fiesta Association]

Another notable and popular feature of the Frontier Fiesta festival is sponsored by the School of Business. It is a tent which features, for those who are of age, unlimited beer and barbecue (or other food) for $5. This is a yearly attraction which often brings students and patrons from nearby schools and cities. It is what many call, God's gift to the University of Houston.