Oct. 13, 2003

FAIRFAX, VA ... Bands, games, great food and the beginning of basketball season will be featured this weekend as George Mason University's Intercollegiate Athletics Department offers US Army Presents Mason Midnight Madness - Mason Idol and Rocktoberfest.

The weekend gets started on Friday, Oct. 17, with US Army presents Mason Midnight Madness - Mason Idol at the Patriot Center. Doors open at 10:30 p.m., with the start of the festivities at 11 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The fun continues Saturday with Rocktoberfest in Parking Lot L near the Patriot Center from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Rocktoberfest offers the 2004 Northern Virginia Chili Championship, three live bands, games areas for children and adults, and booths featuring food from local restaurants. Children under the age of 2 will be admitted free, students and staff with George Mason ID will be admitted for $1, and all others will be admitted for $5.

Mason Midnight Madness is being held for the seventh straight year and is the annual rite of fall on the Fairfax campus. Over 3,000 fans are expected to attend the festivities, which feature pre-practice games for fans, events and interactive competitions. Mix in dance routines from the nationally recognized George Mason cheerleaders and Masonettes dance team, innovative introductions of the basketball teams and an atmosphere that promotes boisterous family fun and the stage is set for a resounding sendoff for another Patriot basketball season.

An impressive indoor fireworks display will welcome the men's and women's basketball players when they are introduced at the stroke of midnight. The late-night session will end with brief scrimmages by both teams.

This year's "Mason Idol" theme promises to provide excitement and entertainment for all who attend. The 15 finalists had a week to prepare for the first round, which was held at First Fridays on Oct. 3 in the Bistro at the George W. Johnson Center. The top four finalists will perform at Midnight Madness. The "Mason Idol" winner will be determined by the loudest crowd cheer, and the winner will be scheduled for their own concert in Harris Theatre.

Among the preliminary events are the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Step Show, Faculty/Staff Aquatic Center "Bellybutton Basketball," Domino's Pizza Pig Out contest and the Brion's Grille Alumni Musical Chairs. Great student prizes for the night include George Mason Bookstore "Books For A Year" competition and the Parking Services "Reserved Spot Contest."

Rocktoberfest is a new event on the George Mason campus, sponsored in part by Budweiser and The Connection Newspapers. A highlight of the event is the 2004 Northern Virginia Chili Championship, with the winner advancing to a Virginia state competition. In addition, three live bands - Welbilt, Kelly Bell Band and Fighting Gravity - will be playing throughout the day.

Cox Communication will be sponsoring a Kidzone, featuring a Moon Bounce along with pumpkin and face painting, while Chesterbrook Academy will sponsor a Sports Zone, where kids and adults can try their hand at various games of skill and learn from clinics held by George Mason student-athletes and coaches. Jim McKay Chevrolet also will sponsor a NASCAR Zone, where people can try Virtual Reality and Slot Car racing in addition to viewing race cars.

Several restaurants are scheduled to offer food for sale at booths at Rocktoberfest. These include Brion's Grille, Domino's Pizza, Vienna Inn, Hard Times Chili and The Tortilla Factory.