Amid a cloudy day with scattered showers, NC State managed to gather a record crowd of 55,000 people at its third annual Packapalooza festival on Hillsborough Street Saturday.
Justine Hollingshead, assistant vice chancellor and dean of Academic and Student Affairs said the police patrolling the event estimated about 10,000 people attended the Scotty McCreery concert alone.
The event hosted musical headliner McCreery, as well as other musical guests including Rashad, Old Man Whickutt, Grains of Time, the Ladies in Red and many more.
“The weather didn’t diminish people’s interest in the event,” Hollingshead said. “People didn’t really leave when it started raining early on, and once the second shower came through at the end of the day, it turned into a really beautiful night.”
Matthew Oliver, executive director for the North Carolina Consumers Council and booth operator said the weather drew more people underneath the tents.
“It has been a pretty good turnout so far,” Oliver said. “Last year the setup was a little bit different, but overall it was fairly straight-forward.”
Oliver said the setup of Packapalooza allows for groups to reach a great amount of guests in a confined space.
“So we are able to outreach and promote our message efficiently versus trying to reach people in an individual basis,” Oliver said.
More than 300 vendors, organizations and merchants were present throughout the day including 90 to 100 student organizations ranging from club sport teams to academic organizations, according to Hollingshead.
The variety of merchants at Packapalooza ranged from nearby businesses and organizations and included the Carolina Rollergirls, the original Women’s Flat Track Derby Association from Raleigh.
Eva Lye, a member of Carolina Rollergirls as well as number 13 for the Chapel Thrillers and Carolina All-Stars, said Packapalooza was a great way to meet a variety of different people.
“It has been great talking to all the people,” Lye said. “It’s been fun. There is a very big variety of people, and it was interesting to get to chat with a lot of different folks.
The event was divided into different zones throughout Hillsborough Street. These zones included the Public Safety Zone, the International Zone, the Green Zone, the Arts Zone, the Service Zone, the Senior Class Zone, the Young Alumni Zone, the Sports Zone and the Wolfpack zone.
“For me being a transfer student and not knowing a lot of people, it’s cool to go out and meet new people,” said NC state student Jesus Valle, a junior in business administration. “It’s interesting. There is a little bit of everything. I can get involved with all the different programs here. It’s my first time here, so I like the tables where you can go and learn a little bit of everything.”
The addition of a new Service Zone, Senior Zone and Young Alumni Zone helped students get involved in their respective interests, according to Hollingshead.
“There is a lot more stuff for seniors this year,” said Lupe Arce, a senior in extension education. “I think it’s a good event. I love it. It shows school spirit.”
