UCLA Homecoming's Pauley Opening Madness now free

The UCLA Homecoming Festival is now free for students and 1,000 parents, a UCLA Recreation official announced at the undergraduate student government meeting tonight. 

Students who have already purchased a ticket can get a refund from the Central Ticket Office or the John Wooden Center, depending on where they bought their ticket, Kenn Heller, associate director of innovation initiatives for UCLA Recreation, said at the Undergraduate Students Association Council meeting.

Heller said that he and others from UCLA Recreation decided this afternoon to make the Nov. 2 event, which will be held in conjunction with Pauley Opening Madness, free for students, rather than charging the original $5 entrance fee. 

The decision came after students expressed concern about the cost, he added. 

Up to 1,000 parents can attend the event ““ which falls on the same weekend as this year’s UCLA Parents’ Weekend, Heller said at the meeting. Parent tickets originally costed $10. 

The Homecoming festival will consist of about 25 student group-run booths with games, food and giveaways and will be held alongside Pauley Opening Madness, an event that will celebrate the reopening of Pauley Pavilion. 

Compiled by Jillian Beck, Bruin senior staff. Contributing reports by Kristen Taketa, Bruin contributor.