Famed singers, food trucks, a mechanical bull and a blow-up corn maze: this year’s Fall Fest had it all.
The Student Programming Board (SPB) and WQAQ Radio hosted the fall tradition on Oct. 23 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., over 700 days since the last Fall Fest in 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“It’s all about making sure people have the chance to come out and listen to some people that they know who they are,” WQAQ General Manager Jack Main said.
This year’s festival was unique with two headliners: singer and songwriter Trevor Daniel, famously known for his 2018 single, “Falling,” and Rebecca Black, who encountered fame in 2012 with the hit single “Friday”.
“It’s a big deal to have both these performers come down to Quinnipiac University,” Main said.
Food trucks from Fork In The Road and Silver Sands Pizza provided food options from barbecue pulled pork grilled cheese, molten meatball sliders, build-your-own pizzas and more.
“The Student Programming Board and WQAQ, we’ve been collaborating on the project for years,” Main said. “Not being able to do it last year means that this year is even more special and getting an opportunity to do something like this is not for ourselves, not for e-board to put on their resumes, but for the kids to come out and just let loose and have fun is why we do this.”
Will DeBlis, senior public relations major and fourth-year e-board member, embraced the nostalgia of Fall Fest.
“It just feels really good to be back and seeing everybody kind of enjoying themselves,” DeBlis said. “Kind of this light return to normalcy.”
Carly Mac Manus, junior journalism and international business major, has been in WQAQ for two years, but this is her first on the executive board.
“Just having everyone back, seeing everyone’s faces after 18 months apart is definitely fun,” Mac Manus said.“I haven’t been to any big events hosted by the school in a while so it is exciting to be a part of it and just kind of see it all come to life and now we’re here today.”
WQAQ members expect to host more events in the future like open mics before Thanksgiving and winter break in the student center piazza, Spring Concert and Spring Fest with the dates to be determined.
“We’re going to get those started again and we’re really excited for everyone to come out and have a good time,” DeBlis said.
Jalil Coverdale, junior 4+1 public relations major, attended Fall Fest for the first time.
“I’m excited because during the pandemic we couldn’t do things like gather,” Coverdale said. “So being here to gather with everyone and fellowshipping is what I’m looking forward to.”
Rebecca Black performed on the quad over 10 years after the release of her hit single “Friday.” Photo from Michael Sicoli 
First-year film, television and media major Andrew Menzel rode the mechanical bull at Fall Fest. Photo from Michael Sicoli 
Attendees walking into Fall Fest from Bobcat Way were met with an inflatable bobcat gate. Photo from Michael Sicoli 
Quinnipiac students crowded the space in front of the stage while Rebecca Black performed. Photo from Michael Sicoli 
Trevor Daniel opened for Rebecca Black at 3 p.m. at Fall Fest. Photo from Michael Sicoli
While Coverdale snacked on the buffalo chicken and fries from the Fork In The Road food truck, and planned to go to the corn maze and mechanical bull next, he absorbed the overall atmosphere.
“I think they’re kinda getting it now to be inclusive,” Coverdale said.
Coverdale said he felt a lack of catering to students of color in the past, but appreciates the current efforts put into events.
“I think that trying to reach students of color in general [is helpful] because sometimes when you have events like this a lot of students of color don’t come because they don’t feel represented,” Coverdale said. “So just try to represent everybody and I think it can be good for next year’s turnout.”
Alumni also came out to enjoy the event. Laurie Gordon, a member of Quinnipiac’s class of 1981, was in the area visiting family and decided to return to the campus she once called home.
“Looking at this, it’s been amazing,” Gordon said. “It’s the kind of concerts we used to have but inside [the gym].”
Paige Pezzella, sophomore English and media studies major and SPB member who also coordinates events was solely excited to volunteer for Fall Fest.
“This was one of the events that I knew this [organization] hosted and who wouldn’t want to be a part of it,” Pezzella said. “Like that’s so, so awesome.”
From exclusive access to meeting artists and seeing the set-up of the stage, Pezzella reflected on “having the small moments and stories.”
“I drew a picture of Rebecca in her dressing room,” Pezzella said. “I don’t know where else I’d get to do that except for being on this staff.”
Pezzella looks forward to students having a good time and learning what they expect in the future.
“I love concerts and this is a big festival right on this campus,” Pezzella said. “We don’t need to go anywhere for it and I hope that everyone else enjoys that.”