The sun shone, the band rocked and the kids ate fried dough to their hearts' delight. Springfest '99 was a surprising success after previous years' disappointments. The Violent Femmes may be getting old, but they attracted a decent crowd and the shouts and encores reflected the fans' enthusiasm. While some may complain that the band appeals only to a select group of people, the Femmes were not so obscure as to be inconsequential. They were no Dave Matthews, but we leave bigger fish to be caught another year--and we most ardently hope that they will be. It was something just to have gone fishing.

There certainly was no dearth of activities nor of students waiting to participate. Lines were long, but if you waited, fried dough was bountiful, you could duke it out in the gladiator's ring, get your face painted or simply enjoy the hamburgers and hot dogs provided by Harvard Dining Services.

Special thanks should go to the Undergraduate Council members who coordinated the festival, especially Ryan E. Dorris '00, Kamil E. Redmond '00 and Noah Z. Seton '00.

We hope that this is the beginning of a new kind of Springfest--the kind that brings otherwise desk-bound students out into the light of the sun with great bands, lively games and good food. This is a step in the right direction and we hope that the council will continue to pursue big-name bands in order to boost attendance and create the kind of experience that makes students look forward to Springfest all during the long cold winter.

Not every student will come to Springfest every year, but like Primal Scream, we hope it becomes an event that every student will attend at least once during his or her time at Harvard. As for this year, if you didn't go, you missed out. And as for next year, we wait with crossed fingers, that it will be bigger and better than ever.