Gabapalooza provides stress relief before finals

in Featured LIfe Life by Napua Kalani — April 30, 2012 at 1:24 pm | no comments

As summer rolls around, it comes the time for another Gabapalooza.  Held on the central quad between Aspen Crossing and Wilson Hall, Gabapalooza ran from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this past Saturday. Playfully named after the well-known music festival Lollapalooza, Gabaldon Hall throws an end-of-the-year bash to inspire fun for all NAU students.

“It’s an event that Gabaldon puts on every year, just to kind of celebrate the end, get everyone out before finals, enjoy the springtime weather, get Gabaldon’s name out there [and] let everybody enjoy the spring and have some free events for students,” said Gabaldon Hall resident assistant and sophomore anthropology major Jennifer Dawrs.

Run by Gabaldon Hall staff and association, other campus organizations help out with the event.

“It’s funded by various student groups around campus like ASNAU and Student Activity Council (STAC)  and various other programs like that,” Dawrs said.

This year’s event was the 28th annual Gabapalooza to date, and Gabaldon staff and hall association put on a well-run party for students to enjoy themselves and let loose before finals.  However, this year’s Gabapalooza wasn’t just about having fun but making a difference.

“This year’s a little bit different because we do have a cause, the Children of Flagstaff, so that’s something new this year,” Dawrs said.

Gabapalooza provided a booth for students and attendees to write letters to grade school, middle school and high school kids in Flagstaff, encouraging them to stay motivated, stay in school and pursue college.  The motto of the day was “Learners of today are leaders of tomorrow,” and it was printed on this years event t-shirts.

Events for the day included sand and spin art, face painting, tie-dying, bocce ball, basketball and volleyball tournaments, potato sack and three legged races, performances by the karate club Shotokan and a cappella group Elevation, as well as a DJ to provide music all day long.

Students who chose to participate in volleyball and basketball tournaments came together on teams to win prizes while other students had the option to tie-dye or get their faces painted.

“Tie-dying was really fun. They gave you the annual Gabapalooza event t-shirt so all you had to do was have fun and tie dye,” said freshman psychology major Brianna Neill.

As the day came to an end, students and attendees welcomed summer with a bang and closed the year with a fun and sun filled event that everyone could enjoy.