Midnight buses to take students to retailer

Odds, ends and no parking space may bring sophomore Lindsey Berry, a resident of Ashton Center, to Midnight Madness at Wal-Mart Friday night.\n"I really just need some things; I've talked to some people that went last year, and (they) said that stuff is really cheap," Berry said. "Another reason is I'm on a waitlist for parking spaces, and I usually have to find rides to go get stuff."\nThe event, part shopping frenzy and part social gathering, begins 10 p.m. Friday and lasts through 2 a.m. Saturday, according to an orientation Web site. Bloomington shuttle buses will crawl between eight campus shuttle stops, which are near every residence hall, and bring residents to Wal-Mart, 3201 W. Ind. 45, for free, said Melanie Payne, the director of Welcome Week activities. Students can shop with a special IU discount, sign up to win drawings for DVD players and TVs and enjoy the festive atmosphere, she said. \n"Each year it just gets bigger and more festival-like," Payne said. "We wanted to come up with something different, and something late-night that was fun, since students aren't studying yet."\nPayne said the obvious reason for the event isn't necessarily the biggest reason IU freshmen come out in droves to invade the 24-hour shopping haven.\n"It's something that's fun, healthy and social," Payne said. "Some people come out to buy things, but people can show up for the social aspect too."\nShe said the event is in its eighth or ninth year, and the idea originated from a student.\n"A few years later, we decided to try it," Payne said. "The first year we did it we had no idea if even five people would show up because it was so different and late night, but people showed up."\nPopularity for the event has continued to grow, and a big turn-out is expected at this year's Madness, Payne said.