It’s the time of the year that N.C. Central students have been anticipating — Spring Fling 2007.

The week’s festivities kicked off Saturday, April 4, with the Vibe Hoops and Hip-Hop tour at the

McLendon-McDougal Gymnasium.

The Maroon & Gray Ball scheduled for Sunday in the LeRoy T. Walker Complex was cancelled due, in part, to low ticket sales.

The Spring Fling Crunk Fest transformed George St., adjacent to the Alfonso Elder Student Union, and the Union itself, into a carnival with music, airbrushed tattoos, caricature artists and food.

Tonight at 7 p.m. in the B.N. Duke Auditorium, Hipno Bro will conduct his hypnosis show.

“This year we have more events that entice the students, but I guess we’ll see after the events are over,” said Student Activities Board adviser Marquita Johnson.

According to Johnson, planning for this year’s Spring Fling began in May 2006, though preparations for the concerts began in December.

Johnson said that she wished students would look at Spring Fling as a Homecoming in the spring.

Students have mixed feelings about this week’s series of events.

“The events this year are alright — they aren’t like the previous years,” said recreation junior Jeffrey Cole, who added, “I think the promotion is a little weak.”

Shakendra Womack, a business administration freshman, was more enthusiastic.

“I am very excited,” she said. “This is my first Spring Fling experience.”

A crime prevention fair is scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. on George St.

Thursday night at 8 p.m., comedian Damon Williams will host the Spring Fling Comedy Show, featuring J.J., Sommore and Tony Roberts, at the McLendon-McDougal Gymnasium, which is expected to draw a crowd.

Friday, fraternities and sororities will go head to head in a step show in the McLendon-McDougal Gymnasium.

Recording artists Omarion, Young Buck and Young Dro will be this year’s line-up at the concert Saturday 8 p.m. in the McLendon-McDougal Gymnasium. Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for general admission.