On Friday, Nov. 1, Rowan University threw its 14th annual Homecoming Harvest Festival. With live student performances, food trucks, and a variety of games, students gathered in the spirit of homecoming week.

Hosted by Rowan After Hours (RAH), packs of students shuffled through the brown tents and greeted staff with their blue tickets and stamps in hand. With them, heaps of students could be found chatting and waiting in line at the various food trucks, which were one of the main attractions at the festival.

“I came today mainly for the food trucks and good vibes, when I heard they’d have fried Oreos here I was sold,” said Cole Papov, a sophomore sports communication and media major.

Papov was of course not the only one excited for the food trucks, a tradition that Rowan upholds at these kinds of events and festivals. The vendors at the event included the usual T&N Homemade Kitchen, Dan’s Waffles, Tacos Al Carbon, and Aunt Martha’s Famous Funnel Cake trucks.

“I was looking forward to the food trucks, but I think the carnival games are probably the best part so far, I’m excited to hopefully win at ring toss,” said Bailey Inzerillo, a freshman math education major.

Along with ring toss, there were activities such as axe throwing, inflatable house challenges, and even jousting. With more students coming in as the event went on, the lines began to grow. Each activity contributed to the festive atmosphere, ensuring that there was something for everyone to do at the event.

“I went jousting not too long ago and honestly it was really fun, there’s a ton of cool stuff to do around here right now,” said Papov.

As the sun began to set, the atmosphere at the festival grew even more lively. Some students gathered around the stage for the live performances, which showcased Rowan’s student talent, while others sat from their seats and enjoyed the show.

With genres ranging from rap and pop to alternative, the music paired with a sunset created the perfect backdrop for the students and their evening.

The performances highlighted the university’s lively and diverse student body, displaying the talent that many students don’t get to see on a typical day-to-day.

While many students were engulfed by the exciting homecoming time, their appreciation for RAH’s effort towards the event did not waiver. The festival offered a break from the long week of midterms and brought students together.

“I think it’s great that they [Rowan] gave us something to do, to have fun and get us out of our dorm rooms,” said Zander Selg, a freshman law and justice major.

Rowan’s annual Fall Harvest Festival continues to provide the student body with a wide variety of activities and festivities for the much-anticipated homecoming week. With the game just swiftly around the corner on Saturday, Nov. 2, the festival serves as just the place to kick off the last day before the bittersweet end of homecoming week.

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