VALDOSTA —
Valdosta State University transformed the front lawn Thursday into a mecca of freebies and games for the annual Happening.
For one afternoon each fall, more than 100 local businesses and organizations meet face to face with VSU students to offer information about the university and its surrounding community.
“This is actually the first time I’ve been to the Happening,” said Meagan Ellis, VSU staff member in the College of the Arts.
Ellis graduated from VSU last May and has been at the university for two years, yet, has never had the opportunity to experience VSU’s signature event until Thursday.
“I’m very impressed with the turnout,” said Ellis.
The event was this semester’s go-to celebration and was even bigger than last year’s Happening which broke records as the largest in the event’s 20-year history.
David Hayashi, owner of the Main Squeeze on Baytree Road, had a tent set up and handed out free smoothies of various flavors.
“This is our third or fourth year in a row,” said Hayashi. “It’s the best way to promote my business.”
Students enjoyed free bags, cotton candy, snow cones, and more. Many vendors learned that students will do just about anything for a T-shirt, such as VSU students and girls soccer team members Lauren Hale and Allison Derck.
“We did a five-minute plank so we could get a free T-shirt,” said Hale.
Despite the vicious heat, Hale and Derck each held the plank position — legs straight out, back straight and elbows at a 90 degree angle — for five minutes while becoming drenched with sweat all to get a T-shirt courtesy of the Air Force.
While several local businesses gave away coupons and other items, various VSU student organizations, such as the Black Student League, tried raising awareness and increasing their membership.
“Today we’re playing basketball and giving out information,” said Black Student League member Micah Howell.
Basketball wasn’t the only sport happening on the front lawn Thursday, St. Jude’s Hospital representatives limboed for a cause. However, if sports wasn’t your thing, vendors, such as the Brass Quill, had artists on scene painting and exhibiting their tattoo portfolios.
Thousands of students beat the heat and ventured through tents gathering free cups, free information and most of all — the way to every college student’s heart — free food!
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Texas Roadhouse employees garner attention during Valdosta State University’s The Happening 2012 Thursday on the front lawn of VSU. Pat Gallagher / VDT
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