Fall Festival

GAMBIER, Ohio (October 13, 2004) Kenyon students work hard. They also play hard. Amid flaming foliage and autumnal light, they'll reach out to local community members this weekend to celebrate the season. On Saturday, October 16, Kenyon's Fall Festival, an annual revel, takes place on Peirce lawn.

Organized by the student-run Social Board, Fall Festival offers local children and their families fun-filled activities from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., including live music, games, treats, and hay rides. "With the foliage at its height, it's a great time to celebrate fall and the beauty of our campus," says Jessica Cheatwood-Alvarez, area coordinator for first-year students. "The Fall Festival is a way to unite the students and the community."

Plenty of opportunities to frolic are in the offing for the young and the young-at-heart alike. The equestrian team will offer pony rides, while other student organizations sponsor games, leaf-jumping, and pumpkin- and face-painting. The sounds of indie folk artist Southerly will suffuse south campus, as old-fashioned hay rides tour Gambier. Free apple cider, popcorn, and sweets will be provided, with handmade jewelry, artwork, and baked goods offered for sale.

"The hay rides were really popular last year. So many students at Kenyon are from the city and have never been on a hay ride, so it was a lot of fun for them, too" says Alvarez.

by Sarah Bill, Class of 2005