Got nothing to do Friday night? If your calendar is free and clear, spend your evening at the Stamp Student Union – but not at the Hoff or TerpZone. Instead, occupy your time with the Union’s third annual StampFest and its student organization showcase, an opportunity for students to meet various campus groups dedicated to everything from culture to sports.

“It’s a great way for students to get involved if they aren’t already involved,” said John Dugan, coordinator for student involvement and leadership.

But what is StampFest? Essentially, it’s the First Look Fair, except held indoors – specifically in the Union’s Grand Ballroom and Prince George’s Room – because it’s too cold outside.

StampFest was formerly known as the Second Look Fair, but the name was changed three years ago to signal that the event was becoming bigger. This year, more than 150 student organizations and 20 campus offices will have tables at the showcase. The showcase is “at capacity right now,” Dugan said. The Union stopped registering groups last Friday.

Groups who have not yet registered for a table, but want to, are free to show up Friday morning. If a group scheduled to show has not done so, another group can snag the table in exchange for a $15 late fee.

Beyond the student organization showcase, businesses and organizations within the Union, such as the food court vendors and TerpZone, will also be holding special promotions and events. The a cappella group The Generics is also scheduled to perform.

Despite promotion both within the Union and on the Union’s website, some students still haven’t heard of StampFest, they said.

“I was completely unaware of its existence before today,” said Kyle Patton, a freshman journalism major.

Also part of StampFest will be a game of Halo Laser Tag sponsored by Student Entertainment Events. Every year during StampFest, SEE is given one event to host; this year, Matthew Kirschner, director of special events for SEE, decided he wanted something that was “not usually done on this campus.”

“I knew I wanted laser tag, and I knew that Halo was a big thing for college students to play in the dorm rooms, and we found a company that was willing to combine the two,” Kirschner said.

Halo Laser Tag will be played from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, and the event is free. StampFest will be held from 10 a.m. to midnight Friday. For more information, visit the Union’s website at http://www.union.umd.edu.

Contact reporter Kevin Robillard at robillarddbk@gmail.com.