Smith Hall was transformed into a Wild West haven on Oct 17, covered with lights, hay bales, lassos and even a mechanical bull for the annual Cowboy Party. This homecoming tradition has been a staple for years, with students encouraged to don their best Western gear and mosey on down to Smith at 8:00 p.m. However, many early arrivals found themselves at Smith Hall before the Student Programming Board had finished setting up.
Fortunately, while waiting, students could enjoy free airbrushed t-shirts. Provided by Airbrush Events, attendees could get a three-word phrase airbrushed onto a plain white tee. Creativity flowed, with shirts displaying everything from nicknames to geeky references and even some cheeky jokes. Due to the popularity of the airbrushed tees, the line stretched on, with wait times ranging from one to two hours as each custom shirt took three to five minutes to complete.
Outside, the festivities featured a dance floor, glow-in-the-dark cornhole, the much-anticipated mechanical bull, and a lasso game. While some were hesitant to join the dance floor at first, by 10:00 p.m., the converted basketball court was packed with students showing off their 8-step line dancing skills, with even Sugarfoot the Dalmatian joining in on the fun. The mechanical bull also drew a crowd, with both seasoned and first-time riders lining up for a chance to test their cowboy grit.
Despite the lively activities, the night was chilly, with temperatures feeling close to fifty degrees. Thankfully, an array of hot food—meatballs, dumplings, spring rolls and ravioli—was provided to help warm everyone up.
Parking caused a bit of a stir leading up to the event. The section of the Smith parking lot nearest the building had been cleared for the party, much to the frustration of students who had to move their cars. After three emails adjusting the size of the parking restrictions, many students complied, while a few stragglers who hadn’t read their emails left their cars in place. Community Director Alexis Lipson reassured students that no one would be ticketed for leaving their vehicles, easing concerns.
The Cowboy Party lived up to its tradition, providing a night of fun, food, and festivities that brought a little bit of the Wild West to campus.
