Ninth annual Imagine RIT set for Saturday

What: Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival. More than 30,000 people are expected to attend this campus-wide event, which features 400+ interactive exhibits in science, technology, the arts and more, plus live entertainment.

When: Imagine RIT kicks off with a 9 a.m. pre-event, Dr. Destler’s Access and Inclusion Technology Challenge, in Clark Gymnasium. The remaining exhibits open at 10, and the festival runs until 5 p.m. Imagine RIT is free to the public and takes place rain or shine.

New this year:

  • A high-tech way to get the latest updates on the festival: Just text “Imaginerit” to 888777 to receive real-time text alerts from RIT on such things as weather, traffic and emergencies. Subscriptions are anonymous, and participants will automatically be unsubscribed from the service at the end of the festival.
  • Dr. Destler’s Access and Inclusion Challenge: The RIT president’s annual challenge covers new ground this year, asking students to showcase technologies that will make it easier for those with physical or cognitive challenges to shop or travel. Entries will be judged on innovation, commercial feasibility and effectiveness or technical viability. Winners could receive $1,000 or a banjo from the prized collection of RIT President Bill Destler. Also new this year, a special prize from Al Sigl Community of Agencies.
  • More than 200 new exhibits: Including a presentation by the RIT Hyperloop team of its SpaceX’s Hyperloop Pod Competition Design, the HotWheelz electric race car and a host of new video games, with titles such as Hack, Slash & Backstab, WordWells and Adventure Guild.

Where: Rochester Institute of Technology, Lomb Memorial Drive, Henrietta. The public is invited to take free shuttle buses from MCC to the RIT campus.

For details: Plan your coverage by going to http://www.rit.edu/imagine/ to view a list of the exhibits, performances and amenities as well as a map of the festival.

Sponsored by: Time Warner Cable (Premier Sponsor), D&C Digital (Gold Sponsor) Coca Cola, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and Rochester Regional Health (Silver Sponsors).


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