Students can find some reprieve in the middle of finals preparation because NYU’s annual Strawberry Festival returns to campus May 10.
CAS freshman Tyler Maxin, a festival co-chair, said the theme of the 28th annual Strawberry Festival is outer space, and decorations will give the location an intergalactic feel.
“It’s hopefully a good way for students and faculty to unwind right before finals, to celebrate the coming of summer and for the sometimes disparate community to come together,” Maxin said.
Sponsored by the Program Board at NYU, Strawberry Festival is an afternoon of carnival games, interactive booths and live music. The highlight of the event is when students dig into a block-long strawberry shortcake.
Be the Strawberry, a contest that allows students to be the event’s mascot, is entering its second year and may become an annual contest in the future.
The festival will include free food, as well as games and activities organized by organizations on campus such as the IRHC, LiveWellNYU and others. It will also feature bands and DJs to set the mood.
Maxin also said Strawberry Festival is known for having unique bands.
“We still hear so much about the Lightning Bolt show from a couple years back, so hopefully this year is no different,” Maxin said, referring to an outdoor concert featuring the band Lightning Bolt during a bird-themed Strawberry Festival in 2011.
Katherine Passaro, a senior in the College of Arts and Science and co-sponsorship chair, said Strawberry Festival is a great way to cap off the year.
“Strawberry Festival has been one of my favorite NYU events since freshman year, so I always expect great things,” Passaro said. “It is just a wonderful day to hang out and enjoy everything the event has to offer, and I imagine this year will be the same.”
Each year Strawberry Festival offers new giveaways and food vendors. This year’s vendors will include Paul’s Burgers, Wild Bill’s Soda, People’s Pops and Red Bull, among others, Passaro said. Strawberry Festival offers students an opportunity to get to know vendors of these brands, from both local mom-and-pop shops and national brands.
Cindy Tsui, a sophomore in CAS, will attend the Strawberry Festival this year and said she is excited for the festival.
“We take over an entire street,” Tsui said. “Dedicating that space to an event for NYU students gives us community and a mini-campus environment.”
The Strawberry Festival will take place on LaGuardia Place between West Third Street and Washington Square South from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
A version of this article appeared in the Thursday, May 2 print edition. Su Sie is a university staff writer. Email her at [email protected].