Meghan Barrasso ‘19
Staff Writer
Merrimack College’s annual Block Party took place Friday Sept. 28 from 4-7 p.m. after being rescheduled due to the Merrimack Valley fire and explosions earlier in the month. The Block Party brings together students, alumni, faculty, staff and families to gather under stringed lights and enjoy a barbeque-style cookout provided by Sodexo.
Planned by the Office of Student Involvement, an abundance of activities were set up throughout Parking Lot H that the Merrimack community could enjoy. Adirondack chairs were provided along with fire pits so those attending were able to lounge and enjoy the beautiful weather and music provided by Merrimack alum, DJ Wyatt. A game of cornhole was set up for students and those over the age of 21 could enjoy a beer garden arranged inside the Multi Purpose Room (MPR) in the Sakowich Center.
Merrimack’s annual Block Party t-shirts as well as two additional free t-shirt options were available to all who attended the event.
The school also set up craft tables where Block Party attendees could design their own flags and frisbees. A photo booth with goofy props provided the community a way to capture the fun they were having by a professional photographer. The most popular attraction were two inflatable bouncy structures, one called “Hippo Chow Down,” which is a riff on the popular childhood game Hungry Hungry Hippos.
This year’s Block Party had many options for food and fun for the entire Merrimack community. Sodexo provided an array of foods, such as burgers, sausages, fried clams, corn dogs and a ceasar salad bar. A french fry and onion ring bar proved to be the most popular option of the evening. There were also two food trucks providing a wide selection of ice creams and whoopie pies.
A few campus organizations were present at the Block Party, including Active Minds, the sorority Zeta Tau Alpha, Special Olympics and a table for donations to the communities affected by the Merrimack Valley explosions and fires.
“The Block Party has always been one of my favorite events here at Merrimack, I always tell my [freshmen] students to go because it’s a great kick off to the start of the year,” said Merrimack College senior and FYE mentor Sabrina Krafchuk.
“This year’s Block Party was a great way for the Merrimack Community to come together after recent events,” said senior Jessica Bungerz, referring to the Merrimack Valley fires and explosions.
All in the all, the 2018 Block Party was enjoyed by all who attended and it served as a good kick off for an exciting year to come.
