Sadie’s Week began Tuesday with free tickets distributed in the Campus Center for Cold Stone ice cream. The three-day freebie giveaway, sponsored by the Campus Activities Board, will provide complimentary offers redeemable from businesses around town. However, only women are allowed to pick up tickets.

The event, partnered with local hot spots such as Starbucks and Sharky’s, provides women with two free offers each day, redeemable on that day only.

In past years, Sadie Hawkins Week encouraged women to court men.

“It’s a good way to ask out a guy and it not be weird,” Tara Shoemaker, senior family studies major from Houston, said. “You get a free meal out of it, and you get to hang out for free.”

However, bringing just friends, as opposed to a love interest, has become increasingly popular.

“We make it so girls have to pick up the tickets, but it’s not necessarily just for girls to ask out guys,” Shoemaker said. “Girls can just bring a girlfriend. It’s just been a great opportunity to get students involved on campus and also gives them something free to do.”

Providing students with the incentive of free food, Sadie’s Week also heightens economic awareness.

“The event is great because we get to celebrate with ACU, but students get to come out and learn about our business,” Lynn Webb, general manager of Cold Stone Creamery, said. “It continuously benefits our business by allowing those who come in to be aware of our product and aware of a great place that they can go with friends. They can really see what’s available to them.”

About 200 tickets will be given out this week.. Shoemaker said every ticket redeemed at a business will be reimbursed.

Wednesday’s freebie will be redeemable at Sharky’s Burrito Company. Thursday, which is the last day for women to pick up tickets in the Campus Center, passes for a free item at Starbucks will be issued. The week will end Friday with a free screening of the movie Inception in Cullen Auditorium at 8p.m.