Santa Claus Will Get An Education When UAF Comes to North Pole Plaza Mall

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 474-7778
04/16/03

Santa Claus, as well as other members of the North Pole and surrounding community, will get a chance to learn about the opportunities the University of Alaska Fairbanks has to offer during the first UAF Day in North Pole.

The event will be held from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, at the North Pole Plaza Mall. According to event organizer Scott McCrea, the purpose of the event is to create a "mini-campus" at the mall to showcase the many things available to the community.

"This is very much a family event," said McCrea, who is a member of the UAF Staff Council, the department that is coordinating the event. "There will be information for everyone, from educational opportunities for prospective students such as teenagers and their parents, to entertainment and hands-on activities for children."

More than 30 university departments have signed up to participate in the free event. Scheduled entertainment includes the UAF Juggling Club and the Walking Hawk Drum Group, as well as a visit from the Nanook’s mascot. Many departments will offer hands-on activities, such as the "Earthquake Shaker" provided by the petroleum engineering department.

The university is partnering with the city of North Pole to coordinate the event, which is being held concurrently with A Taste of North Pole, a fundraiser for the North Pole Habitat for Humanity. North Pole area restaurants will be on hand from 12-2 p.m. to offer samples of their cuisine. There is a $10 fee to participate in A Taste of North Pole, and all participants will receive a North Pole menu guide.

CONTACT: Scott McCrea at (907) 474-1157 or fnsjm@uaf.edu for more information on UAF Day at North Pole, or North Pole City Mayor Jeff Jacobson at (907) 488-2281 for more information on A Taste of North Pole.