Grey skies and cold weather could not keep crowds from gathering on Flavet Field on February 24 for the FTKarnival. Booths sponsored by sororities, fraternities, and dance relation teams formed a welcoming exhibition for students, parents and children from the Miracle Network alike. The venue was complete with a live band, barbecue, and even an inflatable obstacle course. Face painted jesters wandered the carnival, brightening the day of any child at the event. The smell of kettle corn drifted from the corner of the field. The band performed and provided additional entertainment throughout the night. Flavet Field had truly transformed into a miniature carnival, and for all the right reasons.
Students that arrived at the carnival found it a rewarding experience to interact and play with the children that they helped fundraised for all year. Students partnered to paint faces, dance and even decorate cookies with the children that arrived at Flavet. Freshman attendee Caroline Carney said, “I really liked how the miracle children get to be a part of the event. It makes everything a little more special.”
Dance marathon this year is March 14 and 15, but countless hours fundraising and promoting the event are spent throughout semester. The fruition of seeing the children at the carnival and the joy they had participating at the booths was often gratifying to the students and Dance Marathon staff. Morale Captain Mac Bailey said, “It is rewarding because it brings so much joy to the kids and shows how many people care about them.”
The different activities offered by the carnival kept the visiting children engaged throughout the night. Corn hole, limbo, ladder toss and other yard games provided entertainment for the kids and let students behind the booths give them caring attention. There are not many things more humbling then letting a grade-schooler pie a college student in the face, as one of the booths was allowing. Tug of war games brought out friendly competition between different parties. Freshman attendee and Dance Marathon Dancer Christina Marchena said, “It is really inspiring to see the children we would be dancing for to support in a few weeks.”
One of the most moving moments of the carnival was when ages young and old joined to line dance together. Children and staff alike broke out their best moves at Flavet to dance songs of the ages. This union was a powerful symbol of the collaboration between the Miracle Network and those who work year round to help make sure enough money will be raised for its cause.
As events continue throughout the semester to fund-raise for Dance Marathon, it is often easy to get lost in the competitive mindset of out fundraising each other and lose sight of what the money will ultimately be used for. Dance Marathon is a great opportunity to show how much you can support a cause, while still trying to out fundraise others. The FTKarnival put a pause to hectic race to the first place fundraising trophy and brought everyone together over some snow cones and a friendly atmosphere.
