NSU will hold its 15th annual Community Fest on Saturday, Feb. 10 around Gold Circle Lake. The event will run from 12 to 4 p.m., and all students, staff and their families are encouraged to attend.
Attendees can expect a variety of activities for all ages, including inflatables, a petting zoo, paddle boats and a caricature artist. Over 100 undergraduate and graduate student organizations will participate by hosting booths surrounding the lake, each with a unique activity, said Christina Rajkumar, the assistant director for special events and projects. In addition, around 15 departments will table at the event, while 20-25 departments will support via sponsorship or donation.
“Community Fest is our time and opportunity for us as a university to showcase all the various departments, clubs and organizations and all the great things that we’re doing here at NSU,” explained Rajkumar. “We’re also able to share that with our outside, external community because we invite, or we ask that, the friends and family of our students, faculty and staff come to Community Fest.”
Outside vendors will also be featured at the event. The office of special events and projects will supplement the student-run booths with other activities and forms of entertainment, like music from RadioX and food trucks that will provide a variety of snacks.
An average of four to five thousand people attend each year, estimates Rajkumar, and that number is expected to increase.
“I really enjoyed how many different organizations and vendors came from all across this area and getting to see and experience all the different people who came out,” said sophomore elementary education major Katelyn Lanciano. She said Community Fest truly is a celebration of the culture of NSU and the wide variety of organizations and interests within the university.
In addition, the event, including all food and activities, is free for attendees.
“That’s one of the things NSU prides itself on — the entire thing is completely free,” said Rajkumar. “You get entrance for free, everything you get at Community Fest is free.”
Above all, Community Fest aims to be inclusive to all students.
“Students get an opportunity to meet other NSU students, and they also get an opportunity to see all the other organizations that are out there that they may not have been aware of,” said Rajkumar.
For more information, visitnova.edu/safspecialevents/communityfest/index.html or contact the office of special events and projects at 954-262-7283 or specialprojects@nova.edu.
