AJ Thurman | Collegio Reporter

Students strolling through Lindburg Plaza couldn’t help but notice the live music and carving pumpkins on Wednesday evening.
Student Activities Council (SAC) and Student Government Association (SGA) teamed up to put on the Fall Festival.  
“We hope to make this an annual event,” said SGA legislative affairs director christian cruz, senior in geography.
The Fall Festival kicked off with a live performance by the band Hi, Society. Lead singer of the band and president of SGA Lara Ismert helped plan the events of Fall Festival. The theme for the evening was “think globally, act locally.”
“Think globally comes from raising money for the food packaging Hunger Games event,” said Ismert, senior in math and English. “Thinking locally is by having local politicians come and talk so that people can be informed and participate at both levels.”
Many students like Ryan Thies, sophomore in technology education, thought the theme of the festival was a clever and relevant idea.
“I think it is good to get people to understand what’s going on out there,” said Thies. “I think us being in college are kind of zoned into our little world and don’t think about things happening out there.”
Thies was also unaware of the night’s events before it happened.
“My girlfriend was out here carving pumpkins so I came down,” said Thies.
Other students, like Ryan Ash, stumbled upon the festival as well. Ash, who lives in Willard Hall, says he could hear the commotion from his dorm.
“I heard the music coming from outside and decided to check it out,” said Ash, sophomore in broadcasting.
Every student had the opportunity to snag one of the many pumpkins surrounding the Oval, and bring it to the Fall Festival.SGA urged students to pick a pumpkin and either carve away or grab paint brushes and join in the fun.
“I saw the pumpkins in the Oval and they were awesome,” Grace Simmons, sophomore in psychology, said. “Carving pumpkins is a tradition in my house. I really enjoy Fall Festival and hope they continue it.”
Students who participated in the pumpkin decorating were eligible to win prizes. SGA said that there was $250 in Pitt gear up for grabs for the winners. Some participants got creative with their carvings. Jordan Lowe carved a batman symbol into her pumpkin and was confident about possibly winning.
“I hope I win the prize,” said Lowe, freshman in radio logic.
Later in the evening, a local band called The Dulings took the stage. Band mates Shane Duling, John Duling, Kyle Duling and Tyler Bennett all hail from Girard. The band was happy to perform for free.
“We usually play really late at night in clubs,” said John Duling. “It’s fun to play outside, get some fresh air and see the students.”
Several festival attendees, like Caitlyn Carter, loved The Dulings.
“The band’s really good,” said Carter, freshman in premed. “I’m feeling some good vibes coming from them.”
After all the carving, music and politics, Pittsburg State’s first Fall Festival proved to be a hit.
“I think it was a success,” said SGA Sen. Lindsay Ong, sophomore in premed. “It’s the first year we’ve done this, but I can definitely see it happening again.”