Despite the menacing weather on Saturday evening, over 500 people attended a free carnival held by Weber State University’s Davis campus.
Lee Naylor, the president of the Student Alumni Association, provided two of the most popular events: the live goldfish-catching game and the photo booth. With the carnival, he hoped to provide exposure for the association, which strives to “create student life or improve student life, and that when they were a Wildcat, it was a great time to be a Wildcat.”
The games and activities, which were all completely free of charge, kept families and students lining up.
“I do think it was cool…that they did something like this for free,” said Sadie, an attendee from the community. “I couldn’t believe it. And I hear the Halloween one is even better.”
Carnival-goers also took advantage of the inflatable obstacle course, boxing ring and dunk tank, which many carnival-goers volunteered to sit inside. There was also a petting zoo and a miniature horse wagon ride. Each booth was hosted by a different WSU organization. The Student Alumni Association, pre-med students, the Department of Psychology, the Social Work Club, Pi Theta Xi, Delta Chi Omega and the Golden Key International Honor Society all hosted their own booths.
Carnival-goers were mainly students, alumni, their relatives and friends, and also quite a few high-schoolers, many of whom were scouting out WSU as a possible study destination in the future.
Attendees were surprised when White Rock Willy, cousin of the illustrious Captain Jack Sparrow of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series (played by a carnival organizer), and his wife Hurricane Heather pillaged the carnival as well, tying in WSU Davis Campus’ 3rd annual outdoor movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
As a special tribute to the first responders of the 9/11 bombings, the Davis County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit performed demonstrations with its specially trained dogs, and a presentation of the colors was escorted by the Hill Air Force Base Honor Guard. A special speech was then presented by retired Air Force Major Richard C. Williams.
Julius Manubay, the Director of Traditional Students, and his assistant Heather Williams, organized the event with help from fellow student council members, volunteers, WSU clubs and the Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering and Science (NUAMES). Manubay’s main goal was to make the clubs and organizations more of a presence at the Davis Campus and enlarge WSU’s presence in Davis County, which he feels he accomplished.
