(Photo courtesy of Dippin’ Dots) “Dippin’ Dots in a cup, similar to the ones that caused a stir with students.”

Julie Sage
Connector Staff

Last Thursday, Fall Fest, hosted by FAHSS and the College of Health Sciences, was heavily populated by students for free Dippin’ Dots and a story-tall dartboard. Students could also drive a large kinetic sculpture for the Lowell Kinetic Sculpture race or kick around a beachball the size of a person. Along with those attractions, scattered across the South Fest quad were a few lawn games like Connect 4, Jenga, and beanbag toss.

Fall Fest also hosted multiple bands made up of students from UMass Lowell to play music throughout the event. Near where the music was being played, there was a cart giving out shaved ice, popsicles, ice cream bars, and Dippin’ Dots. Further along the edge of the South Campus quad were many clubs and faculty tables, such as some fraternities/sororities, a fashion design club and the Connector.

The weather was nice, the sun was bright and many students showed up to the event. There were two things that were very popular among the students. First was the Dippin’ Dots, to the point that the Dippin’ Dots immediately ran out. Some students showed up to the event just to be able to get free Dippin’ Dots. The other extremely popular thing was the story-tall inflatable dartboard, where students could kick soccer balls at it. The type of soccer balls they had could stick to the dartboard, but students had to kick the ball really hard to get it even close to sticking. One thing that was found surprising was just how hardy the inflatable dartboard was when compared to the large beachball that was also at the event. It quickly became underinflated from how many students were using it, but that didn’t hinder students from throwing it around or even throwing things, or themselves, at it.

The kinetic sculpture at the event was not as popular as the other activities,but students still were having a lot of fun with it. The sculpture had to be driven by two people, which was done by riding two bikes on the back. The front part of the sculpture was a 7’ ball made of metal tubes, pool noodles, and stretched-out tires. It could be steered by a curved metal tube coming out from the ball. However, it took a bit of arm strength to be able to move it. Parts of the sculpture made it hard to drive, but it was obviously still a fun ride because everyone who drove it was laughing and smiling.

According to students, this event was worthwhile to go to and was better than SouthFest, another event run earlier this year during Opening Week. Many students said they hoped more events would include things like the dartboard that was more interactive. Students find the smaller lawn games fun, but they also like having something bigger and different that they can have fun with. Students also had a consensus to have Dippin’ Dots at more events and to make sure there’s a larger stock of them. So that everyone who shows up to the event doesn’t miss out on getting their Dippin’ Dots.