Despite snow falling outside, Geneseo Campus Activity Board’s Fall Fest was able to replicate a cozy, autumn night, offering those who attended a variety of performances, activities and yummy goodies. Dozens of students filled the Union Ballroom on Thursday Nov. 7 for a festival that showcased a variety of student talent while providing a fun night sheltered from the cold.
The night began promptly at 7 p.m., with students arriving early to form a line snaking through the Union lobby—the first 100 students through the door received a free pair of fuzzy socks. Upon entry, attendees could head to the right for free cider and doughnuts or to the left for a free build-a-bear activity. Participants at the build-a-bear activity received an unstuffed animal of their choice—with the options being a bear, moose or monkey—and packet of stuffing, a heart and a t-shirt for the animal. Students then used the stuffing to stuff their new animal, putting the heart inside and dressing it in its t-shirt.
Shortly after the night kicked off, the first performance group of the evening, a cappella group Between the Lines, took the stage. Their set started with a high energy mash-up of “Payphone” by Maroon 5 and Bastille’s “Pompeii.” After Between the Lines came a cappella groups Hips ‘n Harmony, Exit 8 and Southside Boys, who thrilled the crowd with their classic song “Good Ol’ Acapella.”
There was a brief intermission for the performances, during which students refueled on snacks and participated in other free activities. There was face painting on one side of the room and a name art station on the other side, where students could pick from architecture and landscape photos in a book that resembled the letters of their names.
In the Union lobby, there were tables set up for a painting pumpkins craft as well as a French fry station, complete with a range of condiments. Outside on the Union patio, a Tom Wahl’s food truck was on hand to feed the crowd.
Performances resumed with Bhangra, who re-energized the crowd with a powerful four-person dance. Knightline, a dance group known for their Rockette-esque kick line moves, wrapped up the night, leaving the stage to a roaring round of applause.
Audience member and biology major senior Emma Mancino thoroughly enjoyed the night, especially the build-a-bear station.
“The build-a-bear animals were so cute. It’s nice that we get to do things that remind us that we’re still kids almost,” she said. “We can still have fun doing something because sometimes the schoolwork gets too intense.”
Fall Fest carried on until 10 p.m., with the crafts and food stations open until the very end.
“I like that [GCAB’s events] tend to have something for everyone. There was such a variety of things to do there, from the painted pumpkins to donuts to all the different group performances,” Mancino said.