The University of Alabama at Birmingham will present its first World’s Fair at UAB, set to take place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 5.
Presented by UAB’s Student Activities Council and Multicultural Council, the World’s Fair will take place on the Campus Green, located on University Boulevard between 14th and 16th streets south. The World’s Fair will combine the annual International Bazaar and Springfest into one event. It will feature novelties and activities ranging from face painting by UAB Spirit teams and a mechanical bull sponsored by University House to a photo booth presented by UAB Student Housing, caricatures, pedestal joust, moon bounce and a Ferris wheel, among other carnival-themed attractions.
International food tastings from around the globe will be featured in tents, with vendors ranging from Red Pearl and SPR sushi, gumbo, and roasted corn to Steel City Pops and funnel cakes.
Guests can enjoy live performances from UAB Talent Search vocal acts, flamenco dancers from Irene Rimer and Company, Bollywood-style dancers, and live bands on the main stage throughout the afternoon.
Novelties, food and arts are free to UAB students. UAB faculty and staff get in free with an ID and may bring one person free of charge. General public admission is $3 for children under 12 and $5 for adults; cash only. Attendees may choose three food options plus a drink.
The World’s Fair is part of UAB’s celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Other events include a Kick-Off Party with crafts and food tastings on April 1 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Blazer Hall Residence Life Center; a free screening of “Last Train Home,” a movie about Chinese migrant workers traveling home to celebrate the New Year holiday, at 6 p.m. in Heritage Hall, Room 126; a celebration of the Indian spring festival Holi with festive colored powder, water guns, water balloons and free food at 4 p.m. April 2, on the quad between Blount and Rast halls; and a Middle Eastern festival with music, traditional dancing and food from 1-5 p.m. April 2 in the UAB Mini Park.
At 7 p.m. April 17, Asian-American social justice activist Suey Park will host a lecture and open Q-and-A on the current status of the Asia Pacific Internet Association community and how to use social media as tools to advance conversations and create awareness. The event is sponsored by the UAB Lecture Series. It will take place in the UAB Education Building, Room 230.