NSU’s 12th annual CommunityFest, a carnival-like festival that aims to connect NSU students with community members while raising school spirit, will take place on Feb. 7 from noon to 4 p.m. at Gold Circle Lake on NSU’s main campus.
An average of 4,500 people participate in the event each year. Approximately 75 student organizations and 25 academic departments and colleges will set up booths around the lake and host interactive activities and giveaways to engage participants.
The event was started in 2003 by Director of Student Media Michelle Manley, who was a student at the time, to connect NSU with the community. It has become one of the most popular campus traditions.
The event will also include free food, live entertainment, a bounce house, a “Shark Slide,” a petting zoo, bumper cars, a caricature artist, a rock wall, an obstacle course, paddle boats and more.
Graduate Assistant for Student Affairs at the Regional Campuses Danielle Durbala said CommunityFest has grown exponentially since its creation and bridged the gap between the Davie and Fort Lauderdale community and the NSU community.
“There seems to be a record number of attendees from year to year and the involvement from on campus and off-campus continues to grow,” Durbala said.
All six regional campus student governments attend and have booths with games and giveaways.
“They come from all over the state to participate in this event,” she said. “Student organizations have also been increasingly involved from our main campus.”
Graduate Assistant for Assessment and Student Engagement Nikki Tennessen said CommunityFest benefits everyone involved and is one of the few places everyone can come together.
“The students have an opportunity to talk about the exciting things their organizations are doing and have the opportunity to recruit more students; food vendors have the opportunity to advertise and connect with potential customers; the community has the opportunity to come an enjoy a fun day the entire family can enjoy,” she said.
Tennessen is a part of the CommunityFest committee, which planned the entire event.
“This is a large-scale event that couldn’t be done without all of the help from those on the committee and it’s been a great experience to work with such a great group of people,” she said.
Shamauri Callahan, sophomore biology major, said CommunityFest is one of the best events in the second semester and described it as a lasting experience.
“Last year, I had so much fun getting to know the organizations on campus and local vendors in the area,” she said. “It feels like one big party.”
Callahan said her favorite part of CommunityFest is the different kinds of food, the optometry school’s booth and getting to meet new people.
“Students who attend this event will be able to connect with new people and try something different; CommunityFest is an event like no other,” she said.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of nsunews.nova.edu
