With leaves across campus finally beginning to change colors, there is no doubt that autumn is in full swing, and with the changing seasons comes a whole selection of fall-themed events. This year, the University Activities Board (UAB) is hosting a new event that students can enjoy.
Howlin’ Harvest is a fall festival-inspired event that will take place on this upcoming Friday, Nov. 9 from 6-9 p.m. on Stafford Commons. The event is inspired by another UAB event from last year, Howlin’ Hoedown, which was centered around line dancing and held on Centennial campus.
Anna Long, a third-year studying communications and the chair of the UAB’s Leisure and Recreation board, helped plan Howlin’ Hoedown last year, and said that turnout was low due to a mix of factors.
“Last year when we did Howlin’ Hoedown, we were trying something a little different by having an event on Centennial campus,” Long said. “That didn’t work super well, because students don’t really pass by it. It was also really cold.”
Bri Murphy, a second-year studying genetics and the chair of UAB’s Concerts and Entertainment (C&E) committee, helped to plan the new Howlin’ Harvest this year alongside Long.
“Having it on Stafford was something that my committee talked about a lot, because some of my committee members were on the committee last year as well,” Murphy said. “Something they had mentioned was the low turnout, probably because it was on Centennial.”
However, Long saw potential in the Hoedown, and has high hopes for this year’s event.
“It was still a lot of fun, and we wanted to have something like it again this year, and we want to kind of build upon it,” Long said. “Because I was on that committee last year, I really wanted to do something and be involved in some way with Howlin’ Hoedown, even if it was just volunteering with them, but I talked to Bri earlier this semester and I was like, ‘what do you think about having just a fall festival,’ and we could have other student organizations come and bring more things to the table for students to enjoy.”
Last year’s project was hosted by the C&E committee only. Murphy said that new contributions by Leisure and Recreation should help to maximize both turnout and enjoyment.
“The Leisure and Recreation committee is bringing [in] more tabling events,” Murphy said. “We’re going to have a tarot card reader… the Arts Village is coming and doing face painting, we’re going to have some apple cider, some inflatables. We’re just praying the rain holds out.”
For this year’s Howlin’ Harvest, Murphy and Long worked to combine aspects of Howlin’ Hoedown event with elements of a fall-themed carnival.
“We’re kind of bringing Howlin’ Hoedown and this ‘fall festival’ idea together,” Murphy said. “The president of the ballroom club here on campus is going to be teaching west coast swing… which I think will be really cool because it’s something really different. And then we’re having a line dance instructor come in and teach some line dancing, which I think will get a lot of students involved because line dancing is really fun and easy to pick up. So, we’re kind of bringing the more entertainment side of things as far as the dancing and stuff, and incorporating it into this whole ‘fall festival’ idea.”
Long said the goal of the event is to give students a chance to see many of the different clubs and organizations on campus coming together to create a fun, enjoyable event for students.
“I just want it to be a really fun experience, because UAB is really big on making first-years feel really welcome at NC State,” Long said, “And I also just want, by incorporating other student organizations like the Arts Village and Food Science club… [to introduce] students to other aspects of campus, I think that’s really important.”
Murphy also adds that students will be able to relieve stress after a long week of classes.
“Any event, obviously we hope students learn more about UAB and what we do, and meet new people,” Murphy said. “I hope we get a pretty big crowd, as students are walking back from classes or just walking by Stafford, since it is in such a general area. Have fun, release some stress from the week, and just have a good time after a long week on campus.”
Donuts and pizza will be available for students attending Howlin’ Harvest. If the event is forced to move indoors due to rain, it will still be held on the same date and time in the main lobby of Talley Student Union. All updates regarding the event will be broadcast from the UAB twitter account @NCStateUAB.
