A little drizzling rain around 8 p.m. was no problem for the estimated 2,000 people who came to Late Nite Carnival Friday.
Students said it was a throwback to childhood or to the movie "Grease." Some freshmen were impressed, and some students said it's an event they look forward to all year.
Freshman theatre major Caroline Robelen said the Carnival was a great ending to a horrible week of class.
"It's like stress relief, or a stress inducer, depending on what ride you ride," she said. "It's like real live ‘Grease.' It's so precious."
Changes to the Carnival this year included live music, a rock climbing wall and rides for children.
Country singer Chuck Wicks headlined the event, and as his show began around 10 p.m., students gathered around the stage, swaying and dancing to his music.
Caroline Farmer, a sophomore early education major, started lip-syncing as soon as he started singing.
"He's fairly new," she said. "He's hot and he sounds awesome."
At the rock climbing wall, sophomore Auvon Chandler said it's harder than it looks.
"Once I looked down, I got scared," she said. "I would not rock climb in real life."
She said what's great about the Carnival is all that it offers, from live music to booths for student organizations, the rides and the rock climbing wall.
Veronica Beamon, a junior Spanish major, took her two children to the Carnival, and she said it's a lot more kid-friendly this year than last. A ride with spinning bears is one example of the child-friendly rides.
"My son was never big enough in the past," she said, "but this is something he'll look forward to next year."
For Shannon Curry, a freshman education major, the Carnival was a lot better than she would have expected, and she said she's been looking forward to it all year.
"I thought there would be just a couple rides, but it's the real thing," she said.
The Carnival had about 15 rides and 10 other games and activities. Student organizations also set up booths at the event.
Hannah Harrison, Late Nite adviser and assistant director for programs, said she expects Friday's turnout was double the 1,000 students that pre-registered.
Freshman Elizabeth Stroud said it's even better than the Indiana State Fair because the Late Night Carnival free and is mostly for students.
"I expected it to be not as legit," she said.
Joelle Monaghan, also a freshman, said it's a stress reliever at the end of the year, and she and her friends were going to stick it out even through the sprinkling rain.
"It's nice because it's really fun, and it's not academic at all," she said.
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