Women in bikinis and sundresses stood out among more than 1,000 people from the Muncie community and Ball State University that braved the summer heat Saturday to join in on the fun at the first Fat Summer Fest.
This was the first time Muncie Downtown Development Partnership put together a music festival in the summer. Despite the small number of Ball State students in town, the turnout was better than expected with about 1,500 tickets sold, Cheryl Crowder, director of events, said.
"We were pleased with the community response, particularly to a first time event," Crowder said in an e-mail. "But I am sure that the BSU students would have enjoyed the evening and increase our numbers."
With no safety issues reported Saturday night and a strong number of people for the event's first year, Crowder said she got good feedback from attendees.
"Of course as an organizer there are always changes that you look forward to making the next time around," she said.
The summer festival featured activities such as adult tricycles, a giant inflatable obstacle course, human hamster balls and an arrow bungee. Besides the games, at least a dozen bands performed on the main stage on Walnut Street or one of the downtown businesses that were hosting bands.
Food and drinks were also plentiful at the summer music festival. Vendors at the festival sold some popular summer items from Hawaiian t-shirts and leis to tie-dye t-shirts.
Most people started to show up at Fat Summer Fest early in the evening. The festival brought out a variety of people from 21 year-olds to senior citizens, including several Ball State students.
A.J. Wilson, keyboard player for Eight Stories High and an organizer of the festival, said the committee organizing the event had expected more people when the event started at 3 p.m.
"We thought that earlier times would bring more people out, but these festivals cater to more of a night crowd," he said.
Several attendees praised the city for finally putting together a summer music fest.
Justin Spitler, a Ball State graduate student, said he was glad Fat Summer Fest was organized in better weather than Muncie Gras — a similar downtown event traditionally held in February, the Saturday before Mardi Gras.
"I liked this a lot better because it's a lot warmer than Muncie Gras, and there wasn't as many people," he said.
Mike Martin, owner of Doc's Music Hall, said the festival had many good music options. Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, the band who played the final performance at the festival, will be joining the Vans Warped Tour this summer. Martin said the band left for California after the performance Saturday.
Spencer Wood, a Ball State graduate student, said she went to the event to watch her boyfriend play in one of the more than 20 bands participating in the event, but she thought the festival provided students a break from summer classes.
"This gives people that are on campus during the summer something to do, even though there isn't a whole lot of people still on campus," she said.
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