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HUTCHINSON -- The popular Cyber Jay will be a main attraction when the Kansas State Fair opens tomorrow.
This year the University of Kansas booth in the Meadowlark Building will feature the Cyber Jay, a computer-generated Jayhawk who interacts with fairgoers and does tricks such as back flips.
"People love him, especially the kids," said Mark Reaney, KU professor of theatre and film who created Cyber Jay for the KU Open House in 2001. "I recall one point during the Open House when we had 10 kids sitting in a circle in front of the Cyber Jay, just mesmerized."
Reaney also has developed "virtual scenery" for KU theatre productions, including computer-generated dinosaurs that were projected onstage. The Cyber Jay also will return to the KU Open House on Oct. 5.
The Cyber Jay will interact with fairgoers this weekend and periodically during the rest of the state fair, which runs Sept. 6 through 15.
Visitors to the KU booth also can get information about the university and its programs as well as such favorites as the Jayhawk fan and face stickers and a new KU flying disc.
KU also will give away two "Jayhawks Rock!" T-shirts each day of the fair, said Ruth Hurst, state fair coordinator at University Relations. Because the fair's theme is "Party on the Prairie," KU's booth will feature a dancing Jayhawk design.
Pep rally
Jayhawk fans also are invited to the KU pep rally from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, at the Lake Talbott area at the state fairgrounds. Athletics Director Al Bohl, Executive Vice Chancellor Janet Murguia, Miss Kansas USA Lindsay Douglas, a KU senior, and the KU Pep Band will appear at the rally.
Two basketballs and two footballs, signed by coaches Roy Williams and Mark Mangino, will be given away at the rally.
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