Garfield and the Ball State University Marching Band will help celebrate the inaugural Ball State Day at the Indiana State Fair Aug. 16.

The Ball State Backyard, located in the air-conditioned Marsh Agriculture Building, will kick off the daylong activities with a special VIP breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Later, the backyard will host a special visit by the corpulent kitty, and lively music will be provided by the marching band as they perform at the building's entrance.

Landscape architecture students from Ball State's College of Architecture and Planning have spent two months building the backyard, which debuted at the 2004 State Fair. Alumni volunteers and businesses are also contributing time and materials to the project, said Les Smith, landscape architecture professor, who will oversee the installation.

A pond made of crushed and tumbled glass, a miniature "Frog Baby" fountain and a large deck that will double as a performance stage are just some of the features incorporated by the area's designer and assistant professor of landscape architecture, German Cruz.

"Seeing the wonderful space that has been designed voluntarily by our professors and watching our students build it never ceases to amaze me," said Malcolm Cairns, backyard coordinator. "Their enthusiasm for the project, combined with the support and generosity of state fair officials, truly makes for a wonderfully satisfying experience and a great opportunity to showcase Ball State."

During the day, Garfield will show off his new Professor Garfield Web site (www.professorgarfield.org). The educational site, which was produced through a partnership between Paws, Inc. and Ball State, features a space-age classroom with portals to interactive educational material focused on mathematics, social studies, art instruction, science and health, and Jim Davis' personal favorite, reading. Computers will be available for visitors to explore the site.

During the state fair, which takes place Aug. 10-21, the backyard will host a full schedule of events. Some of the highlights include:

1. Aug. 10: Kids arts and crafts, presented by the University Program Board
2. Aug. 11: Dr. Seuss Literacy Fair, sponsored by Student Volunteer Services; filming of Outdoor Indiana
3. Aug. 12: Free health screenings, offered by the School of Nursing
4. Aug. 13: Step show, performed by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
5. Aug. 15: Children's games and activities, presented by Recreational Services
6. Aug. 16: Ball State Day
7. Aug. 17: Physics fun, sponsored by the Physics Club
8. Aug. 21: Code Red Dancers

(Note to editors: For more information, contact Cairns at (765) 285-1971 or mcairns@bsu.edu.)