This year, Late Nite at Ball State has shown it is still going strong with a variety of themes and good attendance.
With an average of 1,200 and 1,400 students a night, Late Nite is ready for a good turn out on Family Weekend.
Last Saturday, space landed at the Student Center with "Star Wars: A Nite of Galactic Proportions." Students enjoyed many different events like the Death Star Gyro Extreme, "Han Shot First" Blaster Laser Tag and Master Yoda's Jedi Training Obstacle Course. There was also a dance floor, food provided by McDonald's and karaoke.
"[Late Nite] is a good alternative to other things [and] it's a great way to meet new people," said Lovelyn Pastrana, senior architecture major, who attended Late Nite on Saturday. "You can hang out and there's free food; we attended a lot last year."
Pastrana attended with her friend Sam White, senior elementary education major. Both students rocked out to the Nicki Minaj song "Super Bass" when they participated in karaoke at the Cantina, which was modeled after one of many locations in the "Star Wars" films.
"My favorite part of Late Nite was that they were showing the ‘Star Wars' movies, and the fact that people dressed up as the characters," Rebekah Klein, freshman telecommunications major, said. "Late Nite keeps people from getting drunk. If you have something to do, kids will be less likely to do drugs and alcohol."
That is the true intention of Late Nite — to have a safe and entertaining environment for Ball State students — Jenelle Bickel, head of marketing for Late Nite, said.
"The purpose of Late Nite is for students to have something to do and somewhere to go on a Saturday night from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.," Bickel said. "We are an alcohol alternative program for students. Students can expect something different every Saturday."
Late Nite has already hosted events with a variety of themes, including a highlighter party and a medieval renaissance fair.
"The themes of each event vary, so all the activities can be expected to change. Themes are decided a semester in advance. We usually think of ideas, along with our committee, and then vote on those ideas."
Bickel, a photojournalism major, is just one of several students who work to make "The Best Party on Campus" a success each week.
"Late Nite is different from other student events in the way that it is every Saturday night, without fail," Bickel said. "Our sister organization, University Program Board, has a ton of events throughout the year, while having Friday Night Filmworks be a consistent event, whereas Late Nite is its own organization that caters to our student body every Saturday night."
This weekend, Late Nite will present "The Wonderful World of Disney" at the Student Center on Saturday for Family Weekend.
There will be a Cinderella's ball in the ballroom, carriage rides, Disney karaoke and other activities. Friday Night Filmworks, in conjunction with Late Nite, will be showing "Cars 2" Friday.
Late Nite is free for students and $5 for guests.
Bickel said she expects to see attendance double because students usually bring a family member with them.
"[We plan a Late Nite for Family Weekend] so that not only can Ball State students enjoy it, but their families that are coming to visit them [can] as well," she said. "Obviously the parents want to know what their kids are doing so we definitely want to make sure they come visit Late Nite to see what we offer every Saturday night."
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