The Student Programming Association is holding a first annual Winterfest on November 14th in John L. Guidry Stadium from 2-7.
In the past, SPA was known for the annual fall concerts they hosted. However, these concerts “weren’t cost affective,” Brandie Domangue, student activities director, said.
“We would spend a lot of money getting people to come. For the amount of money we were spending, there weren’t a lot of students attending the concerts,” Domangue said.
Winterfest will be a Crawfish Day without the crawfish. There will be tattoo artists, palm and taro card readings. SPA has booked three local bands, including Blist. D.J. Ro of Q 93.3 will also be in attendance. Mike Miziano, a participant in MTV’s Real World, is also an attraction.
Foods at the festivities include jambalaya, kettle corn, pork skins and drinks.
SPA as been working on this event, which was a collaboration of ideas, since the beginning of the summer. Chairperson Keli Bonvillain and the entertainment committee have been putting in plenty of time to ensure a great time. They have designed it with the goal of getting more students involved and in attendance.
“We are really hoping for a big turn out,” said Domangue.
“We would like to hold this event every winter. We’re hoping it will become the Crawfish Day of the fall, just without the crawfish.”
“There should be a big turn out, because there are lots of freshmen. They’ll be excited and curious,” Chanell Mickens, computer information systems sophomore from Paincourtville said.
While most people are excited about Winterfest, some students have different responses.
“I think SPA is making a good effort, but I’d like them to reconsider having the concerts. If better entertainers were booked, there’d be a better turn out. When 112 attended last fall, they hadn’t made a hit since three years before with Cupid,” Randall Parker, criminal justice freshman from Houma, said.
However, other students are very excited.
“I am very excited about Winterfest. It gives us students something to do. It gives us a chance to have nice, clean fun,” Marquita Willis, computer information freshman from Donaldsonville, said.