A.S. President Conor Lansdale helps students as they gather at the A.S. Fair for free planners, pens, T-shirts, keychains and ice pops. Paul Kingsley/Photo Editor

Despite the scorching heat, Associated Students (A.S.) hosted their annual A.S. Fair Tuesday morning at the bookstore lawn.

With more than eight tents scattered throughout the area, dozens of A.S. body representatives and volunteers worked together to attract hundreds of students to partake in a number of free giveaways, contests and games to help spread word about A.S.

“We always hold the event by the bookstore because students can’t miss it on their way there,” said A.S. President Conor Lansdale, 22, information systems major. “There are food and a number of other services here for students to check out.”

Students standing in line had the opportunity to receive a variety of gifts and prizes that were made available from A.S.

Despite the free t-shirts, notebooks, pens, towels, keychains, stickers and live music, it was the ice cream that won the heart of one student who was walking past the event under the August sun.

“If you give ice cream to everybody, you’re bound to attract anyone,” said George Haley, 21, art major. “It’s (the event) definitely bigger than last year and the free popsicles are beneficial.”

The event takes place every year to help generate a common interest on behalf of the student population to become involved in A.S.

“It’s hard to recruit people because they (the students) are in a mad dash to get free stuff, so it’s hard to give them more information than the bare minimum,” Lansdale said.

Getting the word out is one of the major elements of this year’s A.S. Fair. Technological advancements through social networking and the Internet have made communicating and becoming involved easier than before.

“Just getting the word out when people come out and answering their questions is a big part,”  said Alyssa Brown, 19, director of personnel.

For new students who have just arrived at CSUN, the fair also serves as a catalyst to help raise the word on how students can benefit from becoming involved in a body that represents the interest and wellbeing of the student population.

“It’s fun and it makes me feel more involved in the school, and it also makes me feel welcome,” said Hildaelisa Maya, 18, biology major.

Greg Menjivar, 21, multimedia major, said Facebook was a good way in utilizing attention and support for not only the A.S. Fair but for future events.

Menjivar said occasions and events that allow students to familiarize themselves with A.S.  is a good way for “freshmen to get a peek at what the school has to offer.”

The fair also gave students a glimpse of the different types of events and programs scheduled to be hosted by the A.S. this year.

Lansdale said events such as the Big Show (organized by SPACE), Earth Day and several comedy shows are just a few of many events that are scheduled to take place once again.

Somewhere near the basketball-shooting contest and the line for orange popsicles, a separate tent was devoted to this year’s Big Show.

Set to take place Oct. 2, the Big Show is the largest concert A.S. tries to bring to the students of CSUN every year. Scheduled to headline this year’s Big Show are LMFAO and Kevin Rudolf.

The general goal of the fair is to encourage students to take up a larger role in campus activity and interaction.

“We are students and we love it when students reach out to us,” Lansdale said.