Weber State University’s annual Clubs & Organizations Carnival celebrated the closing of another school year on Wednesday. The WSU Student Association hosts the carnival each year to allow clubs and organizations around campus to promote their causes and encourage students to join them.
“The purpose is to show off all of the incredible things that each of the clubs and organizations do on campus,” said Thomas Judd, WSUSA marketing director. “There’s over 230 registered clubs and organizations. We invite them all to come out and show what they’ve done throughout the year, and just have fun.”
Over 30 clubs and organizations were represented at the carnival. They set up booths in the Shepherd Union Building and throughout the Bell Tower Plaza.
“I think it’d be great to have opportunities not just in the beginning and the end of the year, but throughout the year, to show the clubs around campus,” said Ali Johnson, a psychology major. “It would be nice if there were some events in the middle that will let people see the clubs they can join if they have some free time.”
The Environmental Ambassadors set up a booth that promoted recycling around campus. The students involved worked to raise awareness and get students to join in their summer projects. The organization adopted a trail on 36th Street in Ogden and holds trail digs and hiking excursions throughout the summer.
“The carnival is a great opportunity to get members or to get people to agree to recycling,” said Emily Ellis, a geology major who works with the Environmental Ambassadors. “We’re active during the summer, so we want people to come out with us. It’d be great to have people that go to Weber, who are stuck here during the summer, to have something to do.”
Each booth offered an activity to inspire student involvement. The carnival gave students the opportunity to let loose and celebrate their accomplishments before finals week. A variety of carnival-themed activities were held throughout the day.
“I love that Weber State does events like this,” Ellis said. “I would love to see more. I love coming to these things and, one, having fun; two, meeting new people.”
The Voodoo Productions aerialists and hand-balancing act and a magic show drew a large audience in the Shepherd Union Atrium. Throughout the event, a man and woman wandered around campus on stilts, surprising students when they popped in on a selfie.
Students entertained one another with mixed reactions of fear and excitement as they held a red-tailed boa constrictor, a granite Burmese python, scorpions and a tarantula. Those who were brave enough could have a scorpion placed in their mouth while their peers squealed from the sidelines.
“My favorite part is getting to see everyone’s reactions when they put on the snakes or scorpions,” Judd said.
WSU Dining Services stayed true to the carnival theme, serving free nachos, churros and popcorn. Coca-Cola gave free soda to students from its truck vendor. Local frozen yogurt cafe Cherry Berry gave out free ice cream.
An inflatable obstacle course, giant slide and boxing ring were set up around the Bell Tower Plaza. Several students said they relieved stress by battling it out with their friends and racing one another in the obstacle course.
Live music by local bands Racecar Racecar and The Contras closed the event. WSUSA Clubs & Organizations helped hand out free popcorn as a souvenir.
“Making sure everyone has a fun time in college, that’s the best part about this event,” Judd said.
