By Michael Jimenez and Mark Jamison
Texas A&M-San Antonio hosted its third annual Fall Fest Saturday on the campus grounds. Students who had anticipated the event weeks in advance were rewarded with a chill in the air and the sun shining brightly overhead. It was a day for music, food, laughter, and clever fundraising opportunities, including a dunking booth sponsored by the Communications Club.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better day than today,” said President Dr. Maria Ferrier, as she made her way to join the festivities.
The campus spent nearly $8,000 on this year’s Fall Fest, an increase of 60 percent from last year. Additional funds were spent on advertising to boost public attendance. The university advertised the event in local newspapers and put banners throughout the city in an effort to bring some recognition to the event.
“We’re hoping for a big turnout this year,” said Melissa Sanchez, communications senior and Communications Club president. This year the Communications Club sold caramel apples and chocolate strawberries. The group also raised money by working the dunking booth.
Student organizations were out in full force to earn money for their club accounts.
The Psychology Club sold tea and lemonade and the Student Government Association sold hot dogs. Student organizations were also joined by some big named corporations including BBVA, Compass Bank, and State Farm.
Most events were held outside. The Student Center, however, took advantage of ample space by hosting a children’s book fair. The campus gym was also put in use by the Kiinesiology Club which hosted a 3 on 3 basketball competition, offering a pair of Spurs tickets as first prize.
Children enjoyed a series of inflatable jumpers, games, and face painting, all sponsored by the Criminology Club.
Students, many of them parents, said the event was family-friendly and enjoyable for all.
“Fall fest was great,” said Patricia Barrios, communications senior. “My son won Spurs tickets!”
Musical acts included a lot of younger talent. The highlight of the musical festivities was a group called “Take Note”, who sang Top 40 music. The group performed so well that they will be asked to headline next year’s event.
The Student Programming Board was tasked with organizing this year’s Fall Fest marking the first time A&M-San Antonio students were able to plan the event.
“I think we did an outstanding job, for it being the first year,” said Pantano. “There’s some learning and this is a learning process for them,” said Laura Pantano, assistant vice president of student engagement. “It’s not just organization that’s involved…the students also had to deal with invoices and contracts with vendors.”
As organizers plan Fall Fest 2011, they are asking whether the event has the potential to become a fiesta-style event.
Although public participation this year was low, the event was still a success to many student organizations.
“I thought attendance was less this year than it was last year, which I don’t know what we could have done better because we did more advertising this year,” said Laura Pantano, “We hung banners and large poster board signs, so there was more publicity.”
The Student Programming Board plans on holding another fundraising event during the spring of 2011.
