The annual Family Weekend activities took place this past weekend as students had their families join them for some fun on campus. Overall, the weekend was deemed a success, but there were some concerns raised about the Family Weekend Festival.
This year, the festival was on the outdoor basketball courts between the Sandra A. and William L. Richter Center and the Reilly Center this past Saturday. The festival replaced the annual Bonagany, which was held every year during Family Weekend on Main Street in the Village of Allegany.
There were mixed reviews on the move of location for the festival, some claiming the event was well attended, while others claiming that the vendors and clubs at the event would do better if the event was held on Main Street.
According to the mayor of the Village of Allegany, Gregory W. Pearl, it was the university that decided to move the festival.
“I got called to a meeting and they explained that they were downsizing and bringing the festival back on campus,” said Pearl.
According to Rob DeFazio, director of the Center for Activities, Recreation and Leadership, he had met with Pearl months prior to the event to discuss the festival.
“There were many reasons we decided to make a change,” DeFazio said. “Small street festivals are tough to continue to fund and there’s a lot of logistics that goes into it. We thought it was best to bring it back on campus.”
Funds, volunteerism and low on-campus event attendance were points of concern that were raised.
“We wanted our visitors to fully enjoy their visit to the St. Bonaventure campus,” said DeFazio.
Some students were confused, though, about the new placement of the festival, according to Steve Wilt, a junior journalism major and station manager of WSBU 88.3.
“Talking about both facility and students, it was nicer to have the festival right here on campus, but the overall reaction was, ‘What the hell is this?’” Wilt said. “Robbie (Chulick) did an amazing job, as every year, putting the festival together and it wasn’t one person’s fault, but it lost its spirit.”
According to DeFazio, parents said it was helpful to have everything in one spot and not have to decide on going to Main Street or the rugby game.
Though the festival did not take place in Allegany this year, the village compensated for the loss of Bonagany by holding a Rock the Block party/street dance from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. last Saturday. Main Street was closed, similarly to how it was during Bonagany, and different bands played, including: Willie and the Cat Club, Nine Milers and Stick Tights. The open container law was lifted during the time, allowing attendees to purchase beer or wine.
When asked about the feedback received pertaining to the movement of the festival and the Rock the Block party, Pearl said, “I received one email that was upset about the family festival turning into a booze fest…We got a lot of positive feedback from the village, town and Bona’s parents.”
After the party, the community “chipped in” and helped clean up, said Pearl.
“We had no one left in the roads afterward,” Pearl said. “It went well.”
Though Bonagany has been seen as a huge way for the community to connect with the university, DeFazio said Bona’s connection with Allegany was still strong.
“We’re in constant contact with the mayor, police and trustees down in Allegany. Our students do volunteer work. We have a good relationship with Allegany,” DeFazio said. “Not having this festival doesn’t take away from anything that has been built over the years or mean that we no longer will work with them…our students live in Allegany. There’s no hard feelings.”
As for the Family Weekend Festival, there were a few concerns raised by vendors and students, but there was also positive feedback.
“There was great turnout on campus. The events held on campus were well-attended,” DeFazio said. “There were always people walking through the courts where the vendors were. The hills where all the sporting events were taking place were packed.”
As far as vendors went, DeFazio said he did not receive any numbers as to how much they made or how many people bought from them.
Mercato, an Italian restaurant in Olean that opened in August, was one of the vendors that attended the festival this year.
“The price for a vending spot in the festival was affordable, but there was not much profit,” said Kendra Pitillo, a Mercato representative. “I don’t know if it was the weather, but it didn’t seem as well attended as anticipated. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, though.”
Due to Mercato being a fairly newbusiness in Olean, the restaurant decided that the festival was an “excellent” market, said Pitillo.
“It’s a good place to do business…it’s beneficial to be at Bonaventure because it puts our image out on the captive audience,” said Pitillo.
There were some students who felt that the event could’ve been more successful if it remained on Main Street, particularly those running club booths. WSBU The Buzz radio station’s booth, made one-eighth in profits in comparison to the last four years when the booth was at Bonagany, according to Wilt.
“This year’s turnout compared to last year at Bonagany was simply depressing,” said Wilt. “What’s usually our biggest fundraiser is now just another struggle to make money for our much needed renovations…this year, without the community, it’s gone.”
Michelle Onofrio, a junior music and psychology double major and the president of SBU For Life, wasn’t sure if the funds clubs raised would increase whether the event took place in Allegany or not.
“Though, I definitely think the higher influx of people would provide more opportunities for them to sell things and hopefully make a good profit,” said Onofrio.
The location of the festival was an ideal spot, due to games, sports and other activities, but it’s the loss of community that upset Wilt.
“Dear friends of mine were musicians this year for the party in Allegany and the frustration was felt all around,” Wilt said.
Dr. Paula Scraba, O.S.F, an associate professor of education, noted that although there were some cons to the event, there were also some pros.
“I liked the festival because we tried something new and I think it’s a balance,” said Scraba.
Scraba also noted the general public was still invited to the event, there were alternative facilities in case it rained, and there was no need for extra security.
Though the event did invite the general public, Onofrio said she didn’t think the event attracted as many people from Allegany.
“A majority of people I saw at the festival were parents with their students,” said Onofrio. “While this was good, and the event was highly attended, I think its intention of bringing people onto campus from town wasn’t executed well.”
As to whether or not the festival will be held at the basketball courts again next year is still up for determination, according to DeFazio.
“We’re going to talk to everybody involved here and make a decision. Ideally, probably,” said DeFazio.
Another well-known activity that took place on campus was the annual Polar Spray, which benefits Special Olympics New York. The event happened last Friday at 4 p.m. on the same courts as the festival.
This year, the event raised almost $1,300, which is the most money the event has raised thus far.
“I can’t say enough about the students contributing during the week and helping out the day of,” said Scraba, the event organizer.
The women’s rugby team raised the most out of the students participating in the event with $90 raised and won a pizza party in return. The local schools in Salamanca brought $200, said Scraba.
Women’s basketball, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps., the swim team, Allegany Fire Department, WSBU The Buzz radio station, the photography club and Robbie Chulick, assistant director of CARL, also helped with the event, said Scraba.
“It wouldn’t be as fun and successful if we didn’t have all of these other groups,” said Scraba.
The Buzz has DJ’d the last several years and Wilt noted that this year was one of the best.
The other activities on campus during the weekend, including the rugby games and the baseball game, were well attended as well.
The illusionist show on Saturday night at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts was packed to the point where they had to deny a few families entry, said DeFazio.
“I thank anyone who participated and attended. We look forward to see everyone back for Family Weekend. We have a pretty good schedule of events each year. We hope everyone comes back and has a good time,” said DeFazio.
By Amber Canbek, News Editor
canbekam16@bonaventure.edu
