I’d heard a lot about the annual Carroll Fest, and it sounded pretty good. As we headed back to campus Saturday morning, my roommate told me it was supposed to be a pretty big deal, something you had to go to at least once in your Carroll career. So I figured I’d give it a try and go check it out. After all, there was free food and entertainment promised, and how could that go wrong?
There was plenty going on around the student center and the quad starting promptly at two p.m., despite the gloomy skies. Out on the quad, there were games set up like beanbags (which I’m told you people from Ohio call ‘cornhole’, which is just silly), volleyball, and those big inflatable hamster balls. Now, I’ve never tried one of these myself, but I think they’re worth the money just because it’s so entertaining to watch other people bowl each other over. Meanwhile, there were games inside the Lombardo Student Center too. Jumbo sized Jenga and Connect Four were just a couple of the options. (One game of giant Operation convinced me that staying out of the medical field was a blessing for all involved, myself, the patients, and the doctors.) There was a photo booth with sparkly hats and big glasses that my friends and I used to pose with, along with an artist giving people glittery henna tattoos. Unfortunately, I discovered that while the gorgeous henna designs remained, the glitter itself didn’t stay on the design. Although it will probably be all over your clothes for weeks. That stuff never goes away. Anyway, as much fun as all the outdoor activities were, it was nice to step inside and warm up for a minute. But not for too long—all the food was outside!
In addition to the grilling station near LSC (and a huge thank you to everyone who made that happen– you’re all amazing!), there were various food trucks scheduled to come by at pre-appointed times. Options included everything from barbecue to burritos, and subs to smoothies. It was all delicious! Bags of kettle corn were the perfect combination of salty and sweet. A banana-strawberry smoothie was delicious, even in the cool weather. And whoever thought to combine mac and cheese and barbecue? Genius. East Coast Custard arrived a bit later in the evening, and enjoyed huge popularity, despite the chill. And really, is it ever too cold for ice cream? Not if you ask me.
Throughout the day, different bands and groups performed beneath a white tent protecting them from the wind and rain. Some were local groups with amazing singers and musicians, and were already familiar to many students on campus. Their music was the perfect soundtrack for the games and activities going on all around the quad. But the big-name group didn’t come out till later in the evening. Around eight thirty p.m., those JCU students willing to brave the rain had the pleasure of watching The Filharmonic perform!
The Filharmonic is an incredible a cappella group who appeared on the reality TV show “The Sing-Off”, and more recently, in Pitch Perfect 2. The Filipino-American boy band has some truly talented vocalists, and they’ve performed with artists like Linkin Park, Black Eyed Peas, and Pentatonix. But luckily for us, they perform at smaller venues too…like John Carroll!
By the time their performance began, the rain had picked up a bit, but plenty of students donned their raincoats and ponchos and headed out to dance in the rain. Students sang along to Filharmonic’s covers like ‘Work’ by Rihanna, ‘Sorry’ by Justin Bieber, and ‘Flashlight’, from Pitch Perfect 2. Clutching umbrellas and ice cream cones, JCU students clapped and cheered for Filharmonic while dancing in the rain. What’s a little water when you get to listen to such a wonderful group? It’s so great that we could get them to come visit, and it was worth every drop of rain!
All in all, Carroll Fest, though a little wet, was a great time! Food, games, and music, all for free. What more could a college student ask for? Though the weather wasn’t exactly cooperative, there were plenty of people out to enjoy the event. With a variety of things to do, from athletic games to artistic talents and giant board games for those who are strategically minded, there was something for everyone. The food trucks and cookout were all tasty, and all our performers were truly talented. I’ll definitely be back to check it out next year, rain or shine (though I’ll have my fingers crossed for some sun!). Thanks to the efforts and hard work of so many, I had a great day, and I know my friends and fellow students did too. Hopefully next year will be just as great!