Nowadays a dollar does not do much except buy two-thirds of a soda from a vending machine or do some laundry. But what if, after buying a $1 ticket, one could see a play, sing karaoke, go to a country fair and have a chance to win an Xbox 360 or iPod touch?
Dia del Este is an all-campus party that spans the whole weekend. The event kicks off on Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m. with a county fair in Hainer Hall, repeating the hall’s fair from last year which won the highest attendance of all the events, and ends on Sept. 19 with a karaoke party in the Dining Commons.
The biggest prizes of Dia del Este are an Xbox 360 and an iPod touch. A ticket has to have 10 punches on it to enter the raffle, but do not fret: everyone is eligible for prizes at each event including Eagle dollars, movie tickets and Spring Banquet tickets.
Other events include a soccer game at Cabrini College, a late night dance party in Gough, a larger-than-life version of bingo in Doane Hall and an a cappella group that performed on season two of America’s Got Talent.
On Saturday night, students will be able to get deals on Breezeway combos and enter to win a bicycle. Those who buy tickets will also be granted free admission to the theater department’s production of Waiting for Godot on Thursday night, worth two punches per ticket.
Since Dia del Este is co-sponsored by SAB, there will be a fall carnival Saturday on the softball field from 12 noon until 3 p.m. There will be face painting, inflatables, music, vendors and barbeque provided by Sodexo.
The popularity of Dia del Este last year is remembered by all, especially the big closeout with the band Centrevol.
“I liked how the festival last year brought together the Eastern community and brought the halls together as well,” junior Chris Clark said.
Sophomore Gavin Donnelly, an RA in Kea-Guffin, said that he thought Dia del Este was “kick butt and high octane like a power wheels (car).”
Participation is key: The residence hall from which the largest percentage of residents participate will win $250.
Another $100 will be given to the particular floor that has the best participation. In addition, the residence hall that holds the best activity will win $250.
Those who commute can sign up for the residence hall of their choice.
Dia del Este Schedule
For more information, go to diadeleste.com
Thursday
8 p.m. – Waiting for Godot, worth two punches
Friday
5:30-7:30 p.m. – Country Fair, Hainer Hall
6:30-8:30 p.m. – Gallup Luau, Gallup Center
7:30-9:30 p.m. – ‘70s House, Kea-Guffin Hall (worth two punches if dressed in ‘70s clothes)
10-11:30 p.m. – Fault Line, a cappella rock band, main gym
11 p.m.-1 a.m. – Pajama Party with Jenny and Tyler, Breezeway (worth two punches if dressed in pajamas)
1-2 a.m. – Save the Last Dance Hunt, Gough Hall
Saturday
12-3 p.m. – Fall Carnival, Softball field (Rain location, Rec Gym)
2:30-4:30 p.m. – “Wet n’ Wild,” Sparrowk Hall
3:50-5:30 p.m. – Salsa Saturday, Eagle Hall
6:30-8 p.m. – Men’s Soccer game v. Cabrini, Cabrini soccer field (worth two punches if dressed or painted in Eastern colors)
7:30-9:30 p.m. – D-O-A-N-E Bingo, Doane Hall
9-10 p.m. – Jenny and Tyler concert, Jammin’ Java
9:30-midnight – Video Karaoke and Grand Prize ceremony, Dining Commons
Josh Steen 
Chloe Rupe 
Grace Nealy