Res halls receive taste of Mardi Gras
Partygras offers beads, food, entertainment free to students

by Sarah Schiltz
Daily illini reporter

Jared Peterson The Daily Illini

The Daily Illini Jennifer Vosberg, freshman in engineering, dips up ice to make snow cones for Partygras, in front of PAR on Saturday.

Students danced in the street and slurped snow cones at Partygras on Saturday afternoon.

The street between Pennsylvania Avenue Residence Halls and Florida Avenue Residence Halls was blocked off for the annual event. A DJ played music from under a tent in front of PAR. Yellow, green and purple balloons and streamers hung from the trees and parking meters. Volunteers handed out Mardi Gras beads and painted students' faces. All of the activities were free.

"We're having a good time, but we don't have to spend any money," said Emily Gomez, freshman in FAA. Gomez was waiting for her friend who was having her caricature drawn.

The food and entertainment were paid for by PAR and FAR hall councils and the Budget and Appropriations Committee. Ewezo and Salango, two registered student organizations, also contributed. Follett, the Illini Union guest rooms and several other sponsors provided prizes for a raffle. Students could enter to win T-shirts, gift certificates or a night in a hotel room.

Participants said the weather made the event better than they expected.

"The weather is awesome," said Sebastian Tobon, a resident advisor at PAR. "It's the perfect day for something like this."

Tobon waited for his turn to sit in the dunk tank.

"It's nice and warm outside, so I don't mind getting wet," Tobon said.

Many of the people who missed the target ran up and hit it with their hands.

"Earlier, I was practicing, and it's not very easy," said Kevin Smith, freshman in LAS. "It took me five or six tries."

About 15 people stood in line waiting to joust. Jousters pulled protective gear over their heads and then tried to knock each other down with padded clubs.

"I'd like to joust, but I'd get knocked down," said Maina Bagwanedee, an event organizer. "I wouldn't stand a chance."

People who grew tired of jousting headed for one of the tables where organizers handed out free soft drinks. Dining services also held a cook out.

"It's better than I expected," said Dana Raisdana, freshman in engineering. "I like the decorations, and the food was really good."

Members of the FAR and PAR hall councils spent four months planning the event.

"The only bad part about organizing is you can't (participate), but you can see other people having fun and that's awesome," Bagwanedee said.

Hall council members started decorating and setting up activities at 7 a.m. Bagwanedee said her fingers were raw from tying knots in the balloons. Organizers agreed that the hard work paid off.

"To see our program come together is so cool," said organizer Laura Randle. "(I like) seeing all the people coming out and enjoying themselves."