The Student Union Board of Governors hosted its final event of Homecoming week with “Fan Fest Friday” on Friday, Oct. 2 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Students partook in a variety of free activities on the Student Union lawn in anticipation of the Saturday Homecoming game. The sunny weather made the event well-attended, especially compared to the rainy weather that cancelled the Homecoming events at the start of the week.
Large sports-themed inflatables were put in the center of the lawn for students to interact with. Students could throw basketballs, baseballs or footballs into their respective blow-up targets before or after waiting in line for the other activities.
One of the draws to the event was the opportunity for free merchandise. SUBOG had a prize spinner that could land on free t-shirts, sweatpants, keychains and more.
Students who waited in the line to spin for a prize received a ticket that could be used at one of the food trucks parked alongside the Student Union. They could pick between wing options from Wings on Wheels Mobile and beverages from Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee. A third, Meriano’s Bakery & Cannoli Truck, had a selection of dessert items.
Another free food opportunity came from a build-your-own-six-pack station. Students could grab a cardboard carton and make a custom combination of up to six mini-Cokes and Topo Chico waters.
Yanique Guichette, a fifth-semester French and communications major at the University of Connecticut and the event organizer, said she wanted the event to generate excitement before the Homecoming game and she tried to choose activities that were on theme.
“It was me choosing the food trucks, and wings is kind of a football thing,” Guichette said. “And then the Coca-Cola team [was] giving out refreshers because it’s really hot today; I’m happy I got some refreshers.”
Behzad Qurbani, a seventh-semester nursing student, walked away with a six-pack of mini-Cokes, a lemonade and one of the last pairs of sweatpants. He said he rushed over after his weekly clinicals to take part in the free festivities.
“The lemonade was good but they had no more fries,” Qurbani said. “I wish I got that— maybe if I didn’t have clinicals.”
On the other side of the lawn were artistic stations where students could get customized souvenirs. One of them allowed students to get an air-brushed t-shirt with a small design and word of their choice. The other station had artists who made caricatures of individuals or small groups. The artists chatted with their subjects during the drawing, which added to the experience.
“I felt so good; people were so happy,” Guichette said as the event was wrapping up. “People were so happy when they got a jacket and merchandise and stuff. I saw the people enjoying the food and they loved the shirts.”
Guichette said the event was also provided great experience when it came to event planning.
“It was so interesting to talk to the vendors and get them on campus,” Guichette said. “It was such a great event to see people happy and get them excited for it.”