Members of multicultural fraternities and sororities hope to spur the interest of the rest of the greek community with Greek Fest this weekend.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council sponsors Greek Fest, aimed at promoting unity within council chapters and creating awareness of the council among the rest of the greek community and on campus. Greek Fest is usually held in November, but, because of planning issues, it was rescheduled for this weekend as a way to close out Black History Month.

“Greek Fest is an opportunity for us to show everyone that even though we’re small in numbers, we can still put on a big event,” said Stella Okeke, National Pan-Hellenic Council president.

Events held throughout Greek Fest are meant specifically to attract members of other greek councils as well as non-greek students.

The Steps Show on Saturday night is the focal point of Greek Fest, and is the best opportunity for people to come out and see the traditions and history on which the council was founded. ISU students, council alumni and members of council fraternities and sororities across the state are expected to come to the Steps Show to perform, Okeke said. The show is planned for 7 p.m. Saturday in the City Hall Auditorium, 515 Clark Ave.

“It’s a historical event associated with historically black fraternities and sororities,” she said. “It goes back to our roots as African-Americans.”

Groups will use their feet and voices to tell a story in a 10- to 12-minute skit. The wrap-up luncheon planned for Sunday in the Union Drive Community Center Multi-Purpose Room is an opportunity for people to meet with council members one on one.

Okeke said she hopes the events will bring out members of the greek community to learn more about the council. The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Collegiate Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council make up the greek community at Iowa State, but all three rarely interact with each other, she said.

“Historically the three councils haven’t really collaborated on anything together,” Okeke said.

Interfraternity Council and Collegiate Panhellenic Council members are encouraged to attend National Pan-Hellenic Council events, but Allison Harris, graduate adviser for the Interfraternity Council, said some members are too busy within their own councils to take part in events held by other councils.

“Overprogramming is a big problem with students,” Harris said. “We want members to be active on campus, but we also have to worry about burnout.”

Okeke said she agrees members of the greek community are very busy, but she urges people to come out to learn more about the council.

“We would really like to see a lot of Collegiate Panhellenic Council members come out and support us, just like we plan to support them in the future,” she said.