Thousands of future students and parents gathered at Chico State on Saturday to participate in the fifth annual Choose Chico! event.

After acting president Rollin Richmond gave his welcoming speech, students and parents swarmed the campus to participate in the many events and informational tours that were offered by Chico State.

Live music was provided by the Department of Music and Theatre outside the Bell Memorial Union and a table filled with 2,000 cupcakes was out for the taking,

Groups and clubs promoted their name, offering information in the Bell Memorial Union atrium from their tables.

Clubs and organizations present included the Gender and Sexuality Equity Center, Cross Cultural Leadership Center, Study Abroad and Community Action Volunteers in Education, Challenge and KCSC Radio station.

The Wildcat Recreation Center also held a preview of their class, fuego, in the atrium.

Community Action Volunteers in Education program member Briana Howenstein, stood at her table and informed new students about CAVE and what it had to offer as they passed by.

“I’m loving it,” Howenstein said. “It’s nice to see all the new students almost overwhelmed with all the things to get into here on campus. CAVE is a good opportunity to get involved in the community and to help incoming students adjust to the wildcat life.”

Academic showcases of every department were held through out the day to give families and students an opportunity to speak with the faculty and staff of their academic interest.

The Communication Design Department had an activity where students could make a video to take home of themselves using a green screen and computer software.

With over 4,200 admitted students and parents at the event, assistant director of admissions and Choose Chico! coordinator, Wendy Needels, was pleased with the turnout. Needels stressed the importance of events like Choose Chico!

“The goal of Choose Chico! is to help attract students and to answer any questions for those that are already admitted,” said Needels.

Logan Schwab, an 18-year-old student from Davis, stood over the creek with his dad as they looked at the scenery.

“This campus is awesome,” Schwab said. “I literally just saw a trout in the creek.”

Schwab, already admitted to Chico State looking forward to studying towards a major in biology, said he picked Chico for all the outdoor activities that the city has to offer and cannot wait to start school at Chico State in Fall 2015.

“I picked Chico because I know there is a bunch of stuff to do outdoors here, like fishing, and that’s what I like.” said Schwab.

Mikey Arias can be reached at [email protected] or @theorion_news on Twitter.