Some Penn State students got quizzed yesterday on their knowledge of how many seats are in the Bryce Jordan Center or how many trees populate the Penn State campus.

But trivia was just one part of yesterday's events that drew in students' attention to the start of East Halls Pride Week.

The celebration began yesterday in Johnston Commons and will continue every day from 4 to 8 p.m. until Friday.

Some students, like Thomas Chisena (freshman-meteorology), stayed to answer many trivia questions.

"I think it's a great way to come out and learn things about Penn State and get some candy," Chisena said.

Deanna Nachreiner, homecoming university relations overall, said that last year's participation in the East Halls Celebration and Competition was not very good. In order to get students to participate in homecoming events, the homecoming committee decided to start early this year by planning Pride Week.

"We call it a pride station," Nachreiner said. "Even if people just look, at least it does something."

Nikki Scisciani (junior-marketing) was in charge of the event.

"I'm excited," Scisciani said. "It's definitely what I expected it to be and more."

In addition to trivia and free candy, the event included Blue Band music and Homecoming 2005 merchandise. At the event, students wearing their Penn State gear were able to sign their names and residence halls for a chance

to win a free pizza party and sign up for next week's East Halls Competition.

Some students walking by sang along and danced while Penn State fight songs played on the radio. Some came over to guess the lyrics to Penn State's fight song "The Nittany Lion."

Rachel Norwood (freshman-biotechnology) thought the event was helpful in getting people involved and participating.

"It drew me over to it," Norwood said.

Many students who walked by stopped to ask what the event was all about.

Elissa Weinbach (junior-journalism and political science) was working at the event.

"We've been here since last week just trying to get freshmen involved," Weinbach said. "You get different reactions. Some are into it and some just ignore it."

Scisciani said the goal of university relations was to target people not normally involved with events, such as faculty, student groups and first-year students.

"This directly targets the first-year students," she said.

East Halls Celebration and Competition will take place Monday, Oct. 24 in East Halls, but at different times.

The competition will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the East Halls Quad and will include three-legged races, sack races and pie-eating contests. Students will have the opportunity to win a free pizza party for their residence hall.

The celebration will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. in Johnston Commons. It will include snacks, popcorn and candy along with student performances.