“Party in the Park” invites all to enjoy food, games, and music at University Park outside of the EMU Student Center on the evening of Thursday, April 21.

Coordinator of Student Organizations and Fraternity & Sorority Life Karen Thompson put this party together. She worked together with one of her colleagues, Sarah, who oversees engagement activities at Eastern Michigan University. Together, they put together a plan to bring the party to life.

Thompson said the need to bring students together after the pandemic is very important and has impacted events on campus a lot.

“Winterfest didn’t happen this year because of COVID,” Thompson said. “We thought that the university needed something for the student orgs to participate, and for students to have one last get together before the end of the semester.”

Student organizations are offering free food, music, a bounce house, rock climbing wall, and many carnival games. In addition to that, there’s an ice cream and snow cone station. 

Due to safety protocols, you have to check in when you arrive.

“There’s a waiver attached to checking in,” Thompson said. “It’s completely free, you just have to fill out a quick form that you scan from a QR code at the check-in station, then you’re good to go.”

About 20 different student organizations will be throughout the park. Volunteers from the student organizations will be helping coordinate check-ins and handle the games throughout the event.

This will be the first year that the event will be held, and Thompson has plans to bring it back again.

“I hope people come out; we would love to have as many people come as possible,” Thompson said. “We’d love to do this again next year.” 

Anne Leach, a sophomore at EMU, plans on attending the Party in the Park with some of her friends. The focus on moving forward since COVID, has been a priority for many students.

“I think it’s an awesome opportunity for people from different groups to come together,” Leach said. “To celebrate we all go to Eastern and have a good semester together.”

The Party in the Park will take place on April 21 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Everyone on campus is welcome. For additional information or questions regarding the Party in the Park, visit their website here.

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