UPC welcomes students back with 'Beach Bash'

By AERIEL MERILLAT

The University of Mary Washington’s Underground Programming Council (UPC) kept the summer rolling with an all out “Beach Bash,” breaking the tradition of the annual “Be a Kid Night” event hosted for the past few years.

“‘Beach Bash’ is replacing ‘Be a Kid Night’ because people felt that the event was childish, and they did not want to act like a kid right when they came back to college,” said UPC Vice President Sam Kasner of the change of tradition.

Students meandered through hundreds of inflatable beach balls that covered Ball Circle, donning a variety of colored leis provided by UPC.

The event was held on Aug. 30, and activities included a foam pit, water slide, rock climbing wall and photo booth.

Cover Drive headlined the event with their four-piece Barbados band. Their pop-reggae music helped bring the beach atmosphere to campus.

“I feel like I am at beach ball central,” said Alex Obelensky, a junior international affairs major.

As “Beach Bash” was underway, another university sponsored event, Relay for Life’s annual “Underwear Run,” saw students racing through Campus Walk in their undergarments. Those at “Beach Bash” got a front row seat to the “Underwear Run,” and many of the participants in the Relay for Life event headed over to Beach Bash when the race was over to cool off by wading in the foam pit.

There were mixed opinions when it came to the cancellation of UMW’s “Be a Kid Night.” Senior historic preservation major Megan Rosengrant enjoyed “Be a Kid Night” because “people were encouraged not to take themselves too seriously.”

However, senior history major, Morgan Hayes said the “Beach Bash” was “the most fun he has ever had.”

Despite the abrupt change in tradition, students who attended “Beach Bash” seemed to enjoy participating in the various activities the night had to offer.

“I came to ‘Beach Bash’ because tonight’s an awesome time to be out,” said junior economics major James Hutcheson.

Overall, bringing the beach to UMW seemed to be a great way to transition from summer fun into the fall semester.