There’s nothing better than Fall in the Forest. This past Friday, Student Union, along with the Resident Student Association and the Anthony Aston Player, compiled their talents to put together the annual Fall Fest on the Magnolia Quad.

Fall Fest featured delicious food, fun Southern events like square dancing and Bluegrass music, a haunted house and autumn themed arts-and-crafts. Freshman Natalie Boucher enjoyed Fall Fest this year. “[I love] to see the Wake Forest student body come together to celebrate all the festivities around this time of year,” Boucher said.

The weather was beautiful, although 80 degrees doesn’t exactly scream fall, and hundreds of students passed through and enjoyed all the event had to offer.

As many students live on a tight budget, college students always love free food. A huge highlight of Fall Fest for freshman Mae Rodgers was “all the fun fall food.” There was an array of delicious treats to snack on — from personal chicken pot pies to pumpkin shaped rice krispies. There were even Apple Cider Floats being made on the spot, which is a delectable combination of apple cider, vanilla ice cream, ginger ale and cinnamon. A very popular station was the hot cocoa making area, where students could decorate a mason jar to their liking and fill it up with powdered hot chocolate, marshmallows and chocolate chips. The event marketed the jars as a great way to store a yummy treat in your dorm in an aesthetic way.

This year’s celebration was “Haunted Farm” themed. The Anthony Aston Players and some other volunteers got their scare on as they dressed up in costume and hid in this year’s haunted tent. Students and faculty members alike were spooked by the decorations and actors in the Haunted Farm. Screams and laughter could be heard all throughout the lower quad, ensuring that while it might have been scary, the haunted house was still enjoyable for those who were brave enough to enter.

This event was the result of the members of the Student Union’s dedication to make campus a welcoming and fun place for all.

“Fall is the best season at Wake Forest,” said Student Union president Jack Garvey.

Garvey explained that they put on this event as a “nice way to give students something fun to do on a Friday evening around exam time.”

Rylie Frayman is the committee chair for Campus Traditions, and she played a role in planning the event. Frayman spent a lot of time working on planning the activities and contacting various organizations to collaborate with. She said she enjoyed Fall Fest because “it brings all of us together for a seasonal fun time. It’s a nice way to enjoy outside and the fresh air.”

Fall Fest is a Wake Forest tradition, not only because of the fun activities and food, but because of the community it represents and the culture it celebrates. “The Unbroken Circle” is an intergenerational music group filled with Wake Forest alumni, administrators and students. Among the members included Martha Allman, the dean of admissions at Wake Forest, and her junior daughter Ella Allman. “The Unbroken Circle” played an array of bluegrass and country music during the festival, and faculty members like Allman and fellow students performed with skill. Watching “The Unbroken Circle” and watching students square dance to their songs at sunset was a truly an unforgettable moment. Wake Forest is a very special place, where traditions, family, friendships and celebration are valued more than anything else.