Elon University's Student Union Board hosted its first SUBFest on Nov. 8, an outdoor music festival featuring live performances, student-run businesses and giveaways.
In partnership with Limitless, Limelight Records and WSOE, the event aimed to provide students with an afternoon of entertainment in Young Commons.
Junior Caroline Reich, the graphic design chair of the Student Union Board, said the idea of SUBFest was inspired by her experience at a college music festival that she attended before coming to Elon.
“I went to a student Music Festival at Michigan State before I started college, just for fun, and it was such a great opportunity. I loved it,” Reich said. “In the back of my mind, I always wanted to do this.”
Sophomore Jaron Fisch performs original Rap and R&B music as JaRon with Limitless on Nov. 8 at Young Commons.
After a reception with university President Connie Book and Vice President of Student Life Jon Dooley, Reich said she was inspired to finally create the music festival.
“They mentioned something about Food Truck Frenzy being the idea of a SUB member many years ago and how it’s become a recurring thing that students look forward to now,” Reich said. “And I was like, ‘Wait, we could do that.’”
The festival included food tables, custom hats, picnic blankets and performances by student artists, including Ashlynn, The Shed, Limitless, Summerbell and Yards Davis.
Elon band Yards Davis performs cover songs on Nov. 8 at Young Commons during SUBFest.
Ace Youngblood, a sophomore and a member of the SUB cinema board, attended the event to support her friend Eliot, who plays in The Shed.
"It's awesome. I think it's a really good opportunity to get a sense of the culture here," Youngblood said.
Other students, such as freshman Tristan Lee, also enjoyed the community atmosphere created by SUBFest.
Senior Ashlyn Wenner performs covers of popular songs as the first of six music groups on Nov. 8 during SUBFest in Young Commons.
“The music is very good,” Lee said. “Everyone seems like they are vibing to the music, felt very connected with everybody around. It's really nice. I like all the blankets and stuff.”
In addition to live performances, SUBFest featured pop-ups from student businesses through Oak Originals, an initiative encouraging students to showcase entrepreneurship on campus.
Senior Lexi Angermueller, owner of AKA Styles, sold hand-painted, jeweled shells designed with zodiac signs at the event.
“I've been doing my business as a COVID quarantine hobby and then it turned into a business ordeal,” Angermueller said. “I started off creating some jewelry just to spare some time, and then it just came into a business. I’ve been crafting ever since.”
Organizers emphasized SUBFest's success in creating a fun atmosphere for students. For Josh Tobin, SUB vice president of special events, the goal was always to provide a break from the usual stresses of college life while building a sense of community.
“I hope that people go home and tell their roommates that they had a fun time today, that they were able to spend some time outdoors, not worrying about homework or anything that may be stressing them out,” Tobin said.