At the First Look Fair, Find Your Thing—and a Few Other Things

Between the 40,000 students and 800-plus clubs, connecting with fellow University of Maryland students with shared interests can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But what if that haystack takes the form of an outdoor festival? 

That’s the vibe of the First Look Fair, one of UMD’s most popular traditions. It returns from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, taking over McKeldin Mall with booths and tents, demonstrations, giveaways, games and more that both celebrate the variety of opportunities on campus and welcome new participants.

The Adele H. Stamp Student Union and Student Organization Resource Center (SORC) are hosting more than 650 departments, organizations and clubs: academic/preprofessional, advocacy, business, creative and performing arts, health and wellness, honor societies, political, religious, social, sports and much more. 

Groups stationed along the sidewalks will pull out all the stops—literally—to engage passersby. Mini dance performances. Assistance dogs in training. Martial arts demos. And lots of conversation prompts, all so students can walk away with info, learn more about how to get involved, and meet other Terps. 

This year, students can check in at the SORC booth near the ODK Sundial to collect one of four limited-edition pins depicting a boxing glove, boom box, loaf of bread and magician’s hat.

Until then, warm up with a “Where’s Waldo”-style activity. Look at this snapshot of the 2024 First Look Fair. Can you spot the following?

• A sail from UMD Sailing
• A Gymkana troupe member
• A person in a pink turtle shell and bunny head
• A golden trophy with a microphone
• A women’s ice hockey posterboard
• A yellow parasol
• A red UMD Juggling club (or a pin, for a layperson)
• A tablecloth for Break Through Tech