Subscribe to RSSTraditions Day kicks off spirit with ASNAU Homecoming Carnival
By Elly Cain
Students slowly begin to show up to the carnival hosted by ASNAU Oct. 18 on Traditions day. Enjoying themselves students were able to get on a variety of rides, as well as get a caricature drawn, or even step into the photo booth with their friends. (Photo by Kaloni Vazquez)
The chili cook-off, put together by the Residence Hall Association, featured five local chefs and their best chili. From pumpkin and turkey to prime rib, NAU students sampled and voted on the evening’s best chili.According to Makenzie Mastrud, ASNAU chief of staff, “The chili cook off works really well in conjunction with the carnival. I saw a lot of students come in to the carnival for a while then go over to the cook-off for something to eat.”
In addition to free hot cocoa, the chili was also a great way to stay warm as the night got colder.
Local firefighters lit the bonfire at 7 p.m., which was topped with a wood representation of an Aggie — UC Davis’ mascot — in preparation for the homecoming game against the UC-Davis football team. With the NAU cheerleaders and the football team on the sidelines, this was the real kickoff of homecoming spirit.
“There are a lot of details that go into the carnival. It takes a lot of time to plan, but it is an event that we really look forward to every year. I think it had become a tradition that students really enjoy,” Mastrud said.
In addition to Mastrud, special event coordinators Tony Buchta and Sara Martin and other ASNAU members began working on the Homecoming Carnival this past summer.
This is the third-annual carnival conducted by ASNAU, although only the second year it has taken place during Homecoming. It began as a spring carnival before ASNAU decided it would be better suited as a part of Traditions Day.
“ASNAU decided to facilitate a carnival based on the student’s vote for the allocation of the 23 Fee. This event continues to get positive feedback from students, so we continue to put it on annually,” Mastrud said.
Overall, there was a huge turnout of students taking advantage of their 23 fee at the Homecoming Carnival. Because of how many students did show up, the carnival became crowded and full of long lines toward the end of the night.
“Overall, I didn’t think that the carnival was that exciting with way too many people, not to mention for how many people were there. It was in too small of a location,” said Andrew Johnson, a freshman exercise science major who attended the event.
Regardless, many students enjoyed the event including Lisa Barrios, a sophomore fitness and wellness major.
“My favorite part about the carnival was just having a good time with friends riding the rides and also relieving some stress from midterms,” Barrios said.
