The original Woodstock celebrated peace, hallucinogens and music.

Nearly four decades later, UIW Wordstock is doing the same ..... minus the celebration of mind-altering substances.

UIW Wordstock, slated for Saturday, Sept. 8, on the Convocation Center grounds at the University of the Incarnate Word, is entering its fourth year as the official back-to-school party for UIW students, faculty and administration. The event will feature music from local bands Flywood, 5 Star and Window, as well as plenty of food and beverage booths.

According to Tiffany Edmonds, associate director of public relations at UIW, Wordstock serves to lighten the mood for some students who might be a tad embittered by the idea of another fall semester.

“Some (students) might still be feeling the blues,” Edmonds said, “so we're doing this event to make them cheerful and to have a good time.”

Not that UIW Wordstock is exclusively for those affiliated with UIW.

The event, which runs from 5 to 11 p.m., is open to anyone interested in attending, with proceeds benefiting three programs: the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the San Antonio Educational Partnership and the University of the Incarnate Word Scholarship Fund.

“We're just trying to invite everybody in the community,” Edmonds said.

CLINT HALE | 210SA