Hundreds of returning and new students turned parking lot 37 at Oakland University into an ocean-themed fair at the Under the Sea Carnival.
Over 1,200 attendees gathered on Sept. 6 at The Student Program Board’s (SPB) Annual Welcome Week Carnival. Food trucks, rides, fair games and live music consolidated one of the largest welcome events at OU in the face of inclement weather.
“I’ve been working on it all summer,” Ula Tuskenyte, SPB annual events director and vice president, said. “It was a big task to take on, but it also has been a lot of fun. I brought a mechanical shark on campus so that’s honestly my biggest highlight.”
Sharknado potatoes, a surfing photo opportunity and turtle-themed giveaways also complemented this year’s under the sea theme. ‘Chutes’ fair ride, a climbing wall and a pirate ship pendulum ride were among the fair attractions at the function.
“Out of all the attractions, my favorite one was the chutes,” biomedical engineering student Maria Nito said. “Not only were the attractions great but the food options, like the sharknado potatoes, were delicious.”
The Sigma Pi fraternity also hosted its annual pig roast at the event while WXOU provided the music. After the event concluded at 9 p.m., Student Video Productions screened “Shark Tale” at the Habitat.
“The event was wonderful to me,” Ian Hughes, a broadcasting student, said. “It’s the most fun I’ve had on campus in a while, and it’s a great way to kick off the year for everybody — food was great, rides were awesome.”
Tuskenyte explained she faced difficulties due to the ambivalent chances of rain expected throughout the days prior.
“This past week we had a rain scare, so it felt like I was planning four carnivals,” Tuskenyte said. “I had to plan for a thunderstorm and rain, and then nothing happened. We moved to a new location, and we made it work.”
Tuskenyte also mentioned that scheduling the carnival during Welcome Week works well for organizers and students alike.
“It’s the summer, [student organizations] don’t have much to do so they’re planning all these events to welcome everyone back right before we get into the nitty gritty of school work,” Tuskenyte said. “Welcome Week is also a big time for students, it’s a welcome home for returners, and then for freshmen, they get to really see what life on campus is like.”
While the taste of the upcoming fall weather caused last-minute changes, students expressed their excitement for the annual carnival.
“It’s quaint, it’s not the biggest event I’ve been to but it’s charming,” Jacob Chiappelli, a marketing student said. “It’s cool to see a lot of people, a lot of new students, a lot of new faces — I think it fosters a sense of community between new students.”
“It’s important to have this kind of thing just so people get familiar with the environment,” Hughes said. “To meet new people, strike up some new conversations, and find old friends.”
For information about upcoming events, visit SPB’s website or Instagram.
