Click here to see an interactive slideshow about the Late Nite Carnival construction
Late Nite is having its last and biggest event of the year tonight, bringing outdoor fun and food to students on campus.
The Late Nite Carnival will have 15 thrill rides, 10 game booths, a main stage where Blessid Union of Souls will perform and a side stage for students who won at the Late Nite talent show, in addition to food and other entertainment.
Hannah Harrison, adviser for Late Nite, said the organization expects more than 7,000 people to attend, so they are adding food carts, changing rides and other entertainment.
This is the second year of involvement for most of the organizers, she said.
"We are a little better experts this year," Harrison said. "Last year was the first carnival for most of us in the office. So we really are making our experience from last year to learn from setup and tear down."
Harrison said the office is working on reducing long lines, which will be determined by the attractiveness of the rides.
"I think, as with any carnival, we are trying to increase the amount of stuff we have as far as food," she said. "We are also combating the lines by offering some several places to sit down. We have the side stage, the main stage and several areas with tables and chairs so people can get a snack and so they don't get to stay in the line all night walking."
Late Nite officer Sarah Carpenter said the organization has worked on the event for more than two months and has become a learning experience.
"It's more of an eye opener today because for the past couple of weeks I have seen a piece of paper with lots of circles and squares on it and saying 'this goes here, and this goes there,'" she said, "and now that I'm here, looking at it I see everything is huge"
However, Carpenter said organizing the event has become fun.
"Its really cool because I've been to fairs before and now I think it's neat to actually be running one," she said.
Money obtained for the carnival, as for other Late Nite events, is provided by the university freshman fee and grants offered from other places, Harrison said.
"We are lucky to be able to put a carnival like this for folks," she said.
Harrison said the organization will continue working on the setup tonight and tomorrow morning.
"We are really excited, and we are looking forward to it," she said. "Everything is coming together for us so far."
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