On Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012, the first annual LAU Condor Carnival took place in the Quad between Botwinik and Bixler at the University of New Haven.
The fraternity Lambda Alpha Upsilon, Inc., hosted the Condor Carnival from 1p.m. to 5 p.m. Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc., Lambda Psi Delta Sorority, Inc., Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority, Chi Kappa Rho Sorority, Sigma Lambda Gamma national Sorority, Inc., the Latin American Student Association, the Black Student Union, the Caribbean Student Association and the Fire Science Club were the organizations that assisted in co-sponsoring the event.
A condor is the largest flying bird and from the vulture species. The condor represents LAU Fraternity, Inc., symbolizing the strength and character of its members and their dedication to the cultural awareness and understanding of the Latino community. The Condor was a suitable symbol for the exciting carnival LAU hosted.
Brayan R. Rivas from LAU and president of the Kappa Chapter was one of the many overseeing the event and said, “It was a hot day, but the Carnival was a success! Everyone had fun and we are looking forward for the blackout edition next month during our convention weekend. Thank you for all the co-sponsors who helped.”
Rivas said the carnival was definitely fun to be a part of because it gave him the opportunity to network with other clubs and make new friendships.
Music filled the Quad and drew students in to take part in all the fun. There was an inflatable Tiki rock wall, an inflatable Wrecking Ball ring where four students were able to battle each other in an attempt to knock their opponent down with a swaying “wrecking ball”, and an inflatable indoor, alien-themed laser tag arena.
Guests also had the opportunity to make spin art “stunner shades.” They had the choice of red, green, purple, blue or pink glasses and could decorate them with various colors of paint while they spun around, giving the glasses a splatter paint effect when they were done.
The carnival also featured a dunk tank where Tori Ford from IFSC, Nani Omega from Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Christiana from Lambda Psi Delta Sorority, Inc., Arnold from the Black Student Union, Kristen from Chi Kappa Rho sorority and LAU brothers took the plunge and risked getting dunked.
“The dunk tank was definitely the funniest part of the carnival, there is nothing like seeing people you know getting dunked,” Rivas said.
The Fire Science Club was making hamburgers, cheeseburgers and hotdogs for those who were hungry after all the exciting activities, and refreshments were available. There was also the traditional crowd-pleaser—cotton candy—which is always the highlight of any carnival.
There were red and black LAU Condor Carnival T-shirts given out, and there was a raffle for various gift cards to Burger King, Subway, Wendy’s, Red Robin, IHOP and Domino’s Pizza, and the grand prize of a 32 inch plasma TV.
