‘Right brain and left brain’ collide at Imagine RIT festival

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This festival poster was unveiled at a press conference April 25.

Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival is poised to become the new annual kickoff to Rochester’s rich festival season.

Imagine RIT, which will take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, May 3, on the RIT campus, is designed to demonstrate what can be accomplished when, as RIT President Bill Destler likes to say, “the right brain and left brain collide.” More than 400 interactive exhibits and displays, including new ideas for products and services, creative arts and crafts, and faculty and student research, will be featured in various locations across campus.

The festival, which will be family friendly, includes traditional festival fare: carnival rides, music and inflatable fun for the kids. The Imagine RIT experience will be divided into 10 themes, as festival-goers will be asked to Imagine… Being Green: alternative energy and sustainability Healthy Living: sports, nutrition and other wellness-related topics A Global View: diversity and multiculturalism Technology: groundbreaking scientific research and cutting-edge technology Creative Play: interactive fun for all ages A Communication Revolution: social networking and other new communication mediums On Stage: musical and theatrical performances Artistic Visions: woodworking, ceramic and glass sculptures, photographic exhibits, student-produced films and more New Ventures: start-up businesses from RIT’s incubator, innovative marketing and business plans WOW! Imagine That: top cross-disciplinary projects, featuring displays from each of RIT’s eight colleges, will be housed in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center.

Here is some additional information that visitors may find helpful:

Parking: Visitors will be able to park free on the RIT campus on a first-come, first-serve basis. Parking is also available at Monroe Community College, with free shuttle bus service to RIT. Once RIT lots are full, volunteers will direct all visitors to MCC.

Volunteers: Hundreds of volunteers, wearing bright orange T-shirts, will be on-hand to enrich the Imagine RIT experience. Twelve information stations will be sprinkled across campus to assist visitors and answer questions. A festival program will be available at all information stations, in addition to the Toyota Welcome Center in D Lot.

Interpreters: American Sign Language interpreters will be posted at the Toyota Welcome Center, outside the Student Alumni Union and the Wallace Library. They’ll be wearing navy blue T-shirts marked “Interpreter.” In addition, the main stages will have interpreters for all performances.

Exhibits: The Xerox WOW! Center, featuring more than 50 cross-disciplinary projects, will be a premier attraction. However, more than 400 other examples of innovation and creativity can be found throughout the campus. Visitors are encouraged to explore the entire campus. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Carnival: RIT’s annual Spring Festival coincides with Imagine RIT and is located to the east of the Xerox WOW! Center. Rides and inflatables are available to visitors free of charge. Games and food are available for a nominal fee.

Food: Each of RIT’s dining facilities will be open to the public. Food will also be available for purchase at various food tents across campus.

For more festival details, visit www.rit.edu/imagine.