By: Paige Scofield Campus Life Editor
Bungee run, obstacle course, dunk tank, strength tester, plinko, raffles, potato sack races and free food. All of these were available at the Landers and Barnum Hall Government’s Carni-Ball. On May 6, the Carni-Ball was held in the Grove for Western students to play some games, eat some food and have a good time. Even though the carnival only lasted from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., there was the Afterglow dance at 8:30 p.m., so students could continue to have fun even after the carnival was over.
“We decided we wanted to pull a double whammy to reach out and create a sense of community in a way,” said Leah Coyle first year communications major, “We’re doing a carnival by day and a dance by night to reach out to introverts and extroverts, and we really made sure all of our food options were available for everybody too, so everyone feels welcome.”
When asked why it’s important to have events like this on Western’s campus, Coyle replied, “We wanted to show that we are all one big community, and we believe that is super-duper important to have on our campus.”
Not even 15 minutes after the event was open for the public, the grove was flooded with people. Participants enjoyed free food, including burgers and candied apples, played games, and had the chance to win different raffles. When entering the the raffle, participants had the chance to win a basket of goodies including popcorn, candy, “La La Land” and other movie watching treats. As well as a chance to win a 32 inch flat screen television. The Landers and Barnum Hall Government did not cut short when planning this carnival.
“We just wanted to have something for everyone, and we thought a carnival seemed like a thing that has little things that everybody can enjoy,” explained Coyle, “Whether they want to run an obstacle course, or try one of the little carnival games, we think and hope that everyone has the chance to enjoy it, and that everybody can have good time.”
The grove was filled with chatter and laughter, and the occasional sound of someone falling into the dunk tank. Students were enjoying themselves on a nice sunny day on Western’s campus.
“We really enjoyed putting this on, and we hope everybody will base their future events off of community and inclusion,” concluded Coyle.
Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu
