Spring Fest concludes vivacious academic year

The Campus Activity Board (CAB) at Eastern Connecticut State University concluded a year of events with its annual Spring Fest celebration. The week-long festival commemorated students' hard work this academic year with a variety of fun and whimsical activities from April 28 to May 4.

“Spring Fest is more than just a singular campus-wide event," said Alyssa Duffy, student activities director of new student and family programs. "It's an annual tradition that unites our campus community in a time of celebration, as the academic year comes to an end. ... It is one of my favorite times of year on campus when we are able to see students come together, making memories and celebrating together.” 

Spring Fest kicked off on Monday with a souvenir shop in the Student Center Cafe, where students could customize their own plushies while enjoying snacks and a photo booth. Tuesday featured Rainforest Cafe memories in Hurley Hall, treating students to a jovial jungle of food and drink that fit the tropical theme. 

Wednesday’s “Back at the Barnyard” event allowed students to experience a mechanical bull and interact with a friendly kangaroo, as well as a variety of other animals at a petting zoo, including a tortoise. The Office of Student Activities also pawned off another collection of plush toys. 

Students took their chances at a bubble-themed bingo in the Betty Tipton Room on Thursday and went to the long-awaited amusement park on Friday. Carnival-goers treated themselves to shaved ice and fried dough between daring rides and won prizes from basketball and ladder-climbing challenges. 

On Saturday morning, students made new friendships with furry pals on a trip to the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI.  

Spring Fest-goers crowded the Mansfield Outdoor Athletic Complex later that evening to enjoy yard games and fireworks. The week’s grand finale saw musical artist "A Boogie wit da Hoodie" rocking out with students in Geissler Gymnasium on Sunday. 

“Being on CAB for the past two years, it’s been amazing watching how our festivals develop and grow each semester,” said senior Maggie Ritchie, CAB's social media coordinator. “CAB carried out the zoo theme extensively through each event and finished strong with the A-Boogie concert. It’s definitely been my favorite Spring Fest during my time at Eastern."

“This may have been my favorite Spring Fest that I have taken part in during my years here,” said junior Taylor Thompson, CAB's special events coordinator. “I am so grateful for the opportunities that CAB has provided me to grow professionally in event planning and execution.”