Hundreds of Kansas University students and area music fans loafed on the grass just to the east of the Lied Center on Saturday afternoon.

Some flung Frisbees or footballs back and forth. Some played carnival games and tried to win prizes.

But most just sat on blankets in the grass on the hill. They enjoyed the afternoon sunshine and waited for another band to start.

The Day on the Hill music festival returned to KU’s campus after a four-year absence.

“It’s great to have it back. It’s great that they got the extra funding,” said Brady Karlin, a Lawrence sophomore, in between Frisbee tosses with his buddy.

Student Union Activities sponsors the event. A $5 student fee, implemented this year, tripled SUA’s budget and allowed it to bring back the music festival.

Many who had already shown up Saturday afternoon waited for the headliner group named Spoon of Austin, Texas, a pop rock band slated to play later Saturday evening.

“I’ve heard good things about them, so I’m psyched to hear them play,” Karlin said.

As an interruption to the afternoon’s laid-back atmosphere, suddenly after playing a few chords to tune up, Kelpie, a local band, started to play on stage under the large tent at the bottom of the hill.

About 100 people headed under the tent and began to watch and listen in front of the stage. Some danced a little to keep warm in the chilly shade.

Gabby Kissane, a Merriam junior, sat in the sun just beyond the tent with a friend and listened to Kelpie. Kissane is friends with the band’s lead singer, Casey Burge.

She also gave the festival a good review and said she planned to stick around through the evening.

“I’ve invited a lot of people because I really like Spoon,” she said. “I have two tickets in my purse for former students if they need them. I found one on the ground actually.”

Gabe Krieshok, a Lawrence senior, was glad to see the music festival back. He’d been to a few before.

“I think it’s a really great event. SUA’s done a really great job with it,” he said.

Krieshok and his friends had to shout in each other’s ears just to carry on a conversation over the music. They had just come from playing carnival games.

“I took off work to come to this,” said Rachel Bock, a junior from the Kansas City area. “It’s already been worth it. We’ve won a bunch of prizes.”

Colin Tisdale, a Lawrence senior, has also grown up with the festival. While he liked the new setup, he hoped it could one day return to its former venue.

“I think it would be real great in the future if it was back on Campanile hill,” he said.

Most fans were just trying to have a fun and relaxing Saturday. More than 1,000 people had bought tickets or stopped by at 5 p.m., SUA staff members said. Other acts in the lineup included Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings, Ghosty, The Belles and Superargo.

“It’s like a family festival. For people who can’t afford to go to a one-day festival, this is it,” Karlin said.