The Campus Activities Board held a Fall Festival Monday, Oct. 14 in the Downing Student Union Nite Class. 

The festival featured a variety of activities including a “Chili Cook Off,” pumpkin painting, candy apple decorating and corn hole. 

Keyonna Whaley, educational leadership graduate and Campus Activities Board advisor, said networking is one of the “most important things” for students who come to events like the Fall Festival. Whaley said it was important for students to attend these events to network with different people on campus.

“I would say just to bring awareness to each other, give thanks, have fun, paint, get to know each other, network,” Whaley said. “Just have fun.”

Gabrielle Winston, sophomore clinical psychology major and Campus Activities Board operations director, said this was her first time planning this event. Winston said they thought of the Chili Cook Off because it made sense with the cold, fall season.

The event was an “opportunity to make new friends,” according to Winston. She said candy apple decorating was her favorite activity at the event.

The “Chili Cook Off” consisted of three contestants who each prepared their own chili for students to taste. 

Desean Tyrus, senior business management major, received the most votes in the cook off. His prize was a goodie bag with WKU spirit items inside.

Tyrus told the Herald the Campus Activities Board reached out to him and a few friends to participate in the competition. The Intercultural Student Engagement Center (ISEC) hosted the “Chili Cook Off” according to Tyrus, which is an organization he’s participated with previously.

When asked why students should attend these events, Tyrus said that Campus Activities Board events “always have a good turnout” and “interesting ideas and concepts” to gain students’ attention on campus. 

“It’s a good time for everybody to come together and get to know one another outside the class,” Tyrus said.

Miratia Coyle, junior criminology and psychology double major, said she attended the Fall Festival to get more involved on campus before she graduates.

“I’m trying to get more involved with stuff because I’m a junior, so I don’t have much time left,” Coyle said. “And I really did want to paint a pumpkin.”

Jayme Thompson, freshman Chinese flagship major and attendee of the event, said that she would recommend this event as a fun way to celebrate Halloween away from home.

“When you’re in college, when it comes to getting caught up in classes and things, you don’t really stop and celebrate how you normally would with your family,” Thompson said. “This is like a fun way to fit that in.”

News Reporter Abigail Vickers can be contacted at [email protected].