As Veishea weekend approaches, the general co-chairs’ work is finally paying off.

The co-chairs for this year’s Veishea, Mark Ringkob and Jen Fritz, have individual reasons for getting involved with the event, but both share the same enthusiasm about the coming festivities.

Ringkob, a senior in agronomy from Jackson, Minn., has been coming to Veishea since he was a child.

“My dad brought me here every year when I was little, and I always enjoyed the displays,” Ringkob said. “Ever since then I’ve looked forward to the parade every year.”

After enjoying Veishea when he was younger, Ringkob decided to get involved when he came to Iowa State as a freshman. He has served as the marketing representative, a ceremony co-chair and an executive board for special events co-chair in the past years.

This year Ringkob decided being general co-chairman would be a great way to get to know all the areas of Veishea and everything that goes on during the week.

“So much goes on with the planning of Veishea that amazes me,” Ringkob said. “It’s amazing how much time and effort the students put into the celebration.”

Fritz, a senior in genetics from Bettendorf, has also been involved with Veishea in the past three years. She served as a Stars Over Veishea aide, the high school programs co-chair and a security co-chair.

“I heard about Veishea and it looked like a ton of fun to be involved in,” Fritz said. “Each year it was more and more fun so I just kept getting involved.”

Fritz and Ringkob are also looking forward to being a part of the 80th year of Veishea.

“I’m just so proud to be involved in an event so great that has been around for so long,” Fritz said. “Veishea is something for the entire Cyclone community and the Ames area to enjoy and I hope that everyone will take part and have a good time.”

They are planning to keep the traditions alive, Ringkob said, but they are also making a few fun changes this year.

“This year we are expanding the entertainment, adding more inflatable games on Welch [Avenue] and shifting the tournament times so they fit into students’ schedules,” he said. “We want to accommodate the students and make the events so that everyone can easily get involved.”

Many of the traditions the entire Cyclone community enjoys will still be the same.

“We have one of the best parades in the Midwest,” Ringkob said. “Plus, you’ve got to love candy.”

Both Ringkob and Fritz hope for a great turnout and are encouraging students to take part in this year’s events.

“There’s something for every student to do and it’s a great way to celebrate Iowa State,” Fritz said. “Now that I see everything going on, I’m more excited than ever.”