The Fall Festival on Oct. 3 helped kick off the Harvest Homecoming festivities.
The annual hot air balloon race that accompanies the festival was canceled due to high winds.
Janie Spitznagel, adviser in the Academic Success Center and representative for the Harvest Homecoming Board of Directors, said officials checked wind speeds at an altitude of 2,000 to 3,000 feet, and the wind speeds were more than 25 to 30 mph.
“The flame from the hot air balloon could have sparked a brush fire,” Spitznagal said. “We’ve been lucky in the past, but this just wasn’t the year for it.”
Crowds shuffled around various booths and games run by student groups and organizations in the Evergreen West Parking Lot.
Hot chocolate, cotton candy and hot dogs were provided. Tickets for game booths were only 50 cents each, and most games required two tickets.
The lines grew for clowns creating different balloon shapes and the pumpkin decorating booth.
Sierra Midkiff, 3, worked hard on her pumpkin and paused to say, “I’m not even done yet,” at the pumpkin decorating booth run by the Alpha Phi sorority.
Brady Miller, IUS special projects manager, said they usually break even with the event.
“This is our way to give back to the community and provide more exposure to the university,” Miller said.
Students from the Theatre Department wore vintage 1900s clothing to promote their play “Our Town,” scheduled for Nov. 5 through Nov. 14.
Students from the School of Nursing gave out free health screenings, checking attendees for blood pressure and oxygen levels.
Crowded bleachers surrounded performances by the IUS Choir and Community Chorus.
Members of the Blue Moon Circus showcased stunts, such as walking on broken glass and swallowing fire.
By LEAH TATE
Profiles Editor
lmtate@umail.iu.edu