It was a FAB-ulous time for tacos on Wednesday, Sept. 27, during the “Let’s Taco Bout Black Squirrel Festival” preview hosted by Kent State University’s Flash Activities Board (FAB).
From noon-2 p.m., students on Risman Plaza enjoyed a walking taco bar, a black squirrel-themed photo station, raffle entries for a $50 Taco Bell gift card and a chance to ask questions about the upcoming 41st Annual Black Squirrel Festival, happening this Friday, Sept. 29.
Ana Hasselbusch, director of late-night events for the board, teased the upcoming festival, which will kick off Parents and Families Appreciation Weekend, happening Sept. 29-30.
“The Black Squirrel Festival is just so family friendly,” Hasselbusch said. “You don't have to be a Kent State student to listen to music. You don't have to be a Kent State student to grab free food. This kind of features everything we do, and it's just the perfect information session about Kent State.”
This year, the festival will feature free T-shirts, student organization tabling, live music, student businesses, caricature artists and food trucks from 4-7 p.m. on Risman Plaza.
Jasmine King, a freshman early education major, plans on bringing her family to the festival for the free swag and live music.
“I think everyone’s coming for the free shirts,” King said. “My family's coming, they like live music, so that’s there too. And just bringing my family to show them where I'm at.”
The board will put on 50 events during the Fall 2023 Semester, all with the mission of bringing people together.
“Especially after COVID, it's not that people don't know how to socialize, it's just that it's become a lot of work,” Hasselbusch said. “Being in isolation for a solid year has really shifted people's point of views for these things. So, these events kind of push people out of their comfort zones a little bit.”
While no two events will be the same, they will all invite Kent State students to be part of something special.
“We have big events like Black Squirrel Festival, or we have little events like trivia at the Student Center,” Hasselbusch said. “It's just a way to bring people together, meet new people and form a little community within Kent State.”
Read more about the 41st Annual Black Squirrel Festival
Read more about Parents and Families Appreciation Weekend
Read more about the Flash Activities Board
Video courtesy of FAB Director Madalynn Wagner