Right after Valentine’s Day wrapped up, the Southern Utah University Student Programming Board brought a whole new vibe to campus with a Mardi Gras event on Feb. 17. Students were invited to relax, socialize and experience the festive spirit of Carnival in the Alumni Center Great Hall.
Upon arrival, participants received green, yellow and purple beads to represent the colors of the New Orleans Mardi Gras. They were also treated to beignets and hush puppies as well as various activities, including mask decorating, face painting and carnival-style games.
“We’re going to New Orleans for spring break, so we wanted to get in the vibe before it, and we really liked everything,” said Sarah Araujo, attendee at the event. “Everyone is friendly and it is good to connect with people, especially if you’re a freshman or you don’t really know people as much.”
With Mardi Gras known for its festive outfits, the carnival celebration was supposed to feature a costume contest, but the weather made it hard for many students to dress up. Instead, it quickly switched to a mask contest, which ended up being a crowd favorite.
“I loved how (the event team) encouraged another contest because nobody dressed up,” said Zelda Landon, a junior at SUU. “It was amazing.”
Winners received candies, chocolate and a movie-night basket. For students who brave the cold in their costumes, they received an SUU Bookstore gift card each.
In addition to the activities, the celebration featured live music. Members of the Thunderbird Marching Band interpreted New Orleans tunes such as Grazin’ in the Grass and When the Saints Go Marching In. Saxophone, trumpet and percussion notes resonated within the Great Hall and brought the carnival atmosphere together.
“We decided to have the marching band because in other carnivals, like in Martinique, they have them playing in the street,” said SPB Assistant Director Aurianne Poirot. “That’s basically what carnival is, just bringing people together to dance and have fun. People were really happy, clapping.”
Beyond the fun, the event also gave students a glimpse into Carnival’s history with information panels placed all over the room.
For context, Carnival dates back to European festivals that later became tied to the Christian calendar as a final party before Lent. It expanded through European colonization between the 15th and 19th centuries and blended with local cultures, creating unique traditions everywhere.
From it came the samba parades in Rio de Janeiro, the masked celebrations in Venice, the Nèg gwo siwo in Martinique and the invention of Trinidad & Tobago’s acoustic instrument called steelpan. Nowadays, Carnival is celebrated in over 50 countries.
The celebration was just one of many events SPB hosts throughout the school year. The next event,
a Disney Channel–themed dance, is set for Monday, Feb. 23. For more information, check the SUU events calendar or check out @suustudentlife on Instagram.
Author: Fanny Felixine
Editor: Briar Adams
Photos by Gannon Lovisa
life@suunews.net
