This spring's Groovin' on the Grounds impressed students with a lineup including Ingram Hill, Matt Wertz, Greg Talmage, Chamillionaire and Wyclef Jean.
The event was hosted by Students On Target, a branch of Student Government that encourages students to make positive choices regarding alcohol.
SOT director Micaela Degruy said this past year the organization gave stronger focus to the lineup, hosting five bands instead of the previous year's three.
"We have gotten the best feedback ever this year," Degruy said. "The lineup was diverse, and everybody has been pretty happy."
Student attendees said they were pleased with the lineup.
"I love Matt Wertz and Wyclef," said Patrick Radecker, civil engineering sophomore. "I like that more people are playing."
Trent Swisher, biology senior, said he attended Groovin' on the Grounds two years ago when the Ying Yang Twins performed, and he said this year's lineup was an improvement.
"Chamillionaire and Wyclef are much better," Swisher said.
Besides enjoying the music of Groovin' on the Grounds, the crowd was pleased with the weather. It was sunny, and temperatures stayed in the 60s for most of the day.
"It was an absolutely beautiful day," Wertz said. "It couldn't have been a better atmosphere for music."
Degruy said the purpose of Groovin' on the Grounds is to promote having "a good time not wasted" with an alcohol- and drug-free set of concerts.
"We want to provide an alternative to drinking," Degruy said. "So we hosted an all-day function where people can come and go and catch live music for eight hours."
Next year's Groovin' on the Grounds may see some change because of structural adjustments in the SOT organization.
Student Government President Colorado Robertson said SOT may include more organizations next year.
"Hopefully, there will be some restructuring," Robertson said. "The main mission [of SOT] is responsible drinking, and more organizations could be included in the program."
Robertson said although he thinks spring's Groovin' on the Grounds was well attended and had an impressive lineup, SOT hopes to find more sponsors next year to help further improve the festival.
"Hopefully we will find additional dollars to get big names," Robertson said.
Travis Andrews, assistant director of student involvement for Student Government, said he wants to keep the quality of this spring's lineup while also making some changes.
Andrews, who will be working with SOT and Groovin' on the Grounds next year, said he hopes SOT can form partnerships with other organizations to spread its message.
"This year was the best we have ever seen," Andrews said.
Andrews also said SOT hopes to increase promotion of Groovin' on the Grounds so more students will know about it and be able to attend.
Robertson said SOT will continue to take student suggestions for bands as it has in past years.
---- Contact Blake Stephens at bstephens@lsureveille.com.
