The warm day heated up a few more degrees when American indie folk band The 502s took the outdoor stage, en route to kicking off their Great Road Trip Tour across the US, EU, UK and Australia. Bringing The 502s to campus was a huge win for the Fall Fest’s co-hosts, Quinnipiac Student Programming Board (SPB) and WQAQ, said WQAQ General Manager Rebecca Steeves ’25.

“SPB Main Stage Chair Emma Dinnan and I covered The 502s show at Toad’s Place in New Haven about a year ago for WQAQ, and we immediately fell in love with them. They were one of the first bands that came to mind when we were planning for this event,” said Steeves.

Emma Dinnan ’25 said The 502’s stage show brought unmatched positive energy to this year’s Fall Fest.

“They’re just the happiest people ever, and they bring that energy with them. Their music is super-happy, super-upbeat. I just think it’s a great vibe, and you can feel definitely it today,” said Dinnan.

Fall Fest is WQAQ’s biggest event of the year, said Steeves.

“Fall Fest is a really fun way to bring the entire community together. It’s one of the first major events of the semester, and especially because it’s falling right after midterms this year, I think it’s a great opportunity for everyone to have a good time, get some great food, play games, do some crafts, and enjoy a free concert.”

Dinnan is in her third year helping with Fall Fest and in her first year as Stage Chair.

“It’s been a lot this year, but it’s been super-cool just to see it all come together. I think people are happy to be here, and they’re having a great time,” said Dinnan.

SPB and WQAQ student members filled in across all areas of Fall Fest as event volunteers. Jennifer Moglia ’24, MS ’25, graduate assistant for programming within the Office of Student Engagement and Campus Life, helped Assistant Director of Student Engagement Nicole Healy advise SPB and WQAQ members on setting up Fall Fest.

“We help them as they go through the process of getting the artists, getting the contracts set up, recruiting volunteers, and getting all the information out,” said Moglia. “We have two concerts every year, Fall Fest and Wake the Giant in the spring. I think the Fall Fest is so much fun because we have the games, the food trucks, there’s a pumpkin patch and crafts. So if you’re a music person, you can come and enjoy the music, but if you’re not a huge music person, there’s still a ton of things to do. We have a really good turnout, and the weather’s great.”

Among the line of Bobcats waiting for their turn to try to stay aboard a giant, mechanical pumpkin with a jack-o-lantern grin (or just to watch their friends spin out), Laura Verrelli ’27 and Emily DeFreitas ’25, MS ’26 said they were enjoying everything Fall Fest had to offer. 

“I haven’t tried a mechanical bull or anything like that since middle school, so I’m super excited they have it here,” said DeFreitas.

“It was pretty entertaining,” Verrelli said of her ride attempt. “It’s my first time at Fall Fest, and it’s pretty cool.”

Bobcats also bounced their way through a giant, inflatable Ninja Warrier Obstacle Course, posed for pics at #Bobcat Nation stations, painted pumpkins and tried their hand at other activities and crafts, played lawn games, toasted marshmallows at fire pits, and fueled up with a variety of offerings from three food trucks serving up great eats and frozen treats. 
Connor Nylund ’27 said he missed Fall Fest last year and he was glad to be able to make it this year.

“I really like it. I’m enjoying it a lot. I got here thinking it would be kind of fun, and it’s a ton of fun. I’d say the best part is the music, because it’s nice to have in the background while you’re walking around,” said Nylund.

First-year student Josie Mates-Muchin ’28 and her friends found seats on the Quad’s Adirondack chairs as The 502s played.

“I’ve gone to all the different things; I did the pumpkin painting, I made a tea light, I’ve watched people fall off the mechanical pumpkin. I think it’s super-fun,” Mates-Muchin said. “My roommate is volunteering, and she was very adamant in making sure that I came.  It’s definitely a top memory of my first year so far.”

In Focus