Alpha Epsilon Pi’s annual Wiffles and Waffles event has been revamped into Chillin’ in the Park. Students will spend an afternoon playing in a team wiffle ball tournament and Slip ‘n Slide relay race this Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. in Walnut Park. There will also be musical performances by DJZJ and Aer.

Teams of 10 will compete in boys and girls’ wiffle ball tournaments, and teams of five will race in the Slip ‘n Slide relay. Each individual event is $15 per person, but it only costs $20 to participate in both activities. T-shirts and food will be provided through the entry fee, said Andrew Diamond, AEPi’s philanthropy chair.

Four fraternities and seven sororities are already signed up for both events, and more student teams are encouraged to register in advance on its Facebook page. The registration will remain open at the event on Sunday until the start of the competition.

Although the only individuals who have signed up are those in greek life, Diamond said Chillin’ in the Park is an all-inclusive event.

‘We really want to let people know that this is not a greek exclusive event,’ said Diamond, a senior sport management major.  ‘We want anyone and everyone to at least stop by and enjoy the day.’

Chillin’ in the Park is a variation of AEPi’s former annual event, Wiffles and Waffles. The namesake waffles will still be sold, along with a variety of other picnic and barbecue foods.

All proceeds will be donated to the Matthew Wanetik Scholarship Fund created for Watenik, an AEPi brother who died while studying abroad in Strasbourg, France, in October 2008. His family started the fund in his memory.

Diamond said the event allows students to have fun and support a good cause while doing so.

‘This has been a bad weather year, and Sunday’s sunny forecast will give people an opportunity to maximize their fun and donate to a great cause,’ Diamond said.

Besides the headlining attraction of the inflatable two-lane Slip ‘n Slide, there are also musical performances by DJZJ and Aer, who are making a stop on their college tour.

‘They’ve always wanted to play a show here in Syracuse,’ said Aer manager Max Gredinger.

Aer, an acoustic pop and contemporary indie duo from Wayland, Mass., is known for its smooth and offbeat guitar riffs. The band will play songs from its new mixtape, ‘Water On The Moon.’

Diamond said given his experience with AEPi events, he is excited to see a bigger band come to play.

‘They’re well above your average band that plays at a philanthropy event,’ he said.

Diamond said the fraternity is anticipating a large turnout for Aer’s show. Syracuse is the last stop on the band’s mini college tour, which takes them through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hilland Lehigh University.

‘Their live set is great. The energy they bring onstage is unbelievable,’ said Gredinger, also a sophomore in the Bandier Program for Music and the Entertainment Industries.

Many students are excited about the event, whether they’re competing or planning on simply relaxing outside while the bands play, Diamond said.

‘It’s great to take a break from work and just chill for a while,’ said Lee Meller, a freshman secondary social studies education major. ‘It seems like Chillin’ in the Park will be a lot of fun.’

rjmarvin@syr.edu

Published on April 27, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Rob: rjmarvin@syr.edu