Hello fall: Festival ‘timing is perfect’

Fall Fest 2023 was held in the SRC quad. (Panther photo by Damaia Davis)

Students embraced the start of a new season on Oct. 24 during Claflin’s annual Fall Fest.

The Fall Fest was put together by both SGA and SAB and was held in the SRC quad. Students were invited to unwind with pumpkin painting, music, games and festival food provided in the dining hall.

"This iteration of this started in 2021,” Dean of Students Dr. Arthur Doctor said, “where we just had an opportunity for students to come out, de-stress, play games and just be amongst one another.” 

The event took place following midterms. It gave students a calm activity to engage in after a week of exams.

“I think the timing is perfect,” Doctor said. “Students are stressed about midterms, they’re stressed about school, and they can just come out here and have a good time.”  

Students played games like Tug of War and cornhole and took photos with the fall-themed photo wall.

Dr. Michelle Provost, a professor at Claflin, remembers the event was much bigger pre-COVID. They would include a petting zoo, trunk-or-treat events and local retailers.

“We would have area vendors come and set up booths and tables,” Provost said. “And you'd get treats and prizes for winning the games.”

Doctor would like to see the university's Fall Fest reach this scale again soon.

“Claflin is engrained in the Orangeburg community,” Doctor said, “We want to continue to do what we can to make sure our community feels the love from Claflin.”  

“I’d love to see it grow next year and we really involve the community."