The Fall Family Festival took place on Fri., Oct. 25, at the Student Union patio during the evening hours from 6 p.m to 8:30 p.m. Students were able to reunite with their families on campus and were free to attend the festival as long as they wore wristbands that they received outside on the patio. 

Activities included a miniature bounce house for little kids, axe-throwing on the lawn grass across the patio, drawing stations where attendees could have an image of themselves drawn out and “cake-walks” for anybody who wanted to win a free prize of a seasonal pastry like pumpkin pie or cookies. 

Complimentary food and beverages such as caramel apples and coffee were available for all in attendance. There was also a showing of the Pixar animated movie “Coco” on the side lawn near the under-construction CU Center. 

There was also a musical performance by members of the abbey west band, who performed country music songs in the cool evening setting. Country classics such as “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver, “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd and “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival were sung mainly by Amy Held, a junior in the Music program. 

Held’s favorite part of the Fall Family Festival was the music performance because she believes, “It was the perfect way to unite everybody at the festival and watch them all move together!” 

Held’s favorite song that she got to sing on-stage was “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” by Brooks & Dunn, and she added that she loves the “shape and melody” of it. “It’s also got a lot of words which make my songwriter heart happy,” said Held. 

A very special activity that occurred while Held was on stage was line dancing as audience members got involved in dancing to the tunes of good songs for the dancing style. 

Held liked the line dancing at the festival since, “It took all the focus off of me!” The line dancing took place in front of the stage, which was set up between the Grimm Student Union and Eagles’ Landing. 

The energy level at the Fall Family Festival was good-spirited and friendly, as some students whose parents or family members were not present also attended the event. 

Held said that the energy level on campus overall “is always great because it seems to be motivated by the love of God.” 

“It is so wonderful seeing Christ-like attributes in my peers and watching this body build itself up while being rooted in Christ,” said Held. 

Held shared that this year’s Fall Festival “definitely raised the bar,” even though she “would have liked it more if [she] had won the cakewalk.” 

The Fall Family Festival was a great opportunity for students and their family members to come together to have a fun and enjoyable time here on the Concordia campus. For more information on upcoming events, please visit the MyCUI app and look out for flyers detailing the next big seasonal gathering, Concordia Christmas, which is set for Thurs., Dec. 5 from 6 p.m to 8:30 p.m. 

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