'Fall Fest' to give Yalies a new excuse to party

On Sat., Sept. 12, the Yale College Council (YCC) announced the first ever "Fall Fest," a campus-wide celebration scheduled for Sat., Oct. 17.

The event, set to take place on Cross Campus, will feature student bands, a cookout, and booths run by student organizations. "Fall Fest is intended to be a laid-back party, a break in the middle of the semester," Fall Fest Chair Tya Harris, TC '00, explained.

Dean of Student Affairs Betty Trachtenberg believes Fall Fest is a much-needed midterm celebration for students. "I think it's a nice idea," Trachtenberg said. "It gives students a chance to get to know each other and it gives the freshmen a nice chance to get to know upperclassmen. It will be a good tool for relaxation."

Lincoln Else, DC '99, is the bassist of Yale's own Ska and Bones, which headlined the student bands lineup at Spring Fling. He hopes Fall Fest will become an annual event. "It would be great if Fall Fest ends up being something as momentous as Spring Fling," Else said. "The more music on campus and the more bands get to perform, the better."

YCC President Zach Kaufman, SY '00, is certain that everyone who participates in the celebration will benefit. "It's a chance for all Yalies to appreciate those among us with musical talent," Kaufman said.

Harris and Kaufman began planning Fall Fest in June. "The Administration was very supportive of the idea," Harris said. Trachtenberg and Assistant to the President Nina Glickson serve as advisors to the Fall Fest committee.

Like Spring Fling, Fall Fest will allow students to transfer dining hall meals to the cookout. The sound equipment will be provided by WYBC and outside sources.

Registered undergraduate organizations can cosponsor Fall Fest '98. In return for its contribution, an organization will be allowed to set up a booth at the festival. The deadline for organizations to request co-sponsorship is Fri., Oct. 2.

Any student band can audition by dropping off demo tapes with Harris by Fri., Oct. 2. The band auditioning team will invite some bands to audition live between Mon., Oct. 5 and Fri., Oct. 9.

Harris is confident that Fall Fest will be met with student approval. "We're starting a new Yale tradition," she said.

Back to News...