Students and faculty were out in numbers enjoying the sun breaks and drizzle mists in turns. Lines for free boba tea stretched long.
The yearly Sunfest event to celebrate the coming of June — which signals the end of May’s drizzly days and ushers in the sunny and mild days of Seattle’s short, but sweet summers — was again sponsored by the Student Life committee and paid for by our tuition. Student Life members volunteered at tables distributing tickets that could be reclaimed for boba teas provided by Dreamy Drinks, and collecting signatures on safety releases that were required in order to attend the animal events.
As in previous years, underneath the shade of a tent pitched on the lawn behind the Administration building, students were offered an opportunity to meet and greet some furry friends. A variety of rabbits, sheep, and goats; even a wallaby and a Patagonian mara were retained safely in a holding pen, but were wandering free within to be gently petted under the watchful eyes of handlers. John Connolly of Animal Encounters said, “We’ve been here about five to eight times over the years,” and are glad to be back after taking a break due to restrictions on the holding of public events during the Covid pandemic.
Inside the PUB, students seeking the thrill of scaly, shelled and/or slithering animal friends could hold and be held by a bearded lizard, a variety of pythons such as Mr. Pickles, a burmese python who loves giving kisses, and a nervous turtle who spent most of the time on the edges of the room, away from the footfalls of the assembled crowd.
At the free food truck stands, students and staff were treated to a delectable variety of delicious Thai and Mediterranean food, and a wide variety of frozen treats: a testament to the event’s commitment to providing quality and diverse options. And the best part? It was all for the price of nothing but a little patience in line.
Throughout the festival, students and staff had a chance to win a thrilling variety of lottery prizes, from a bag of candy to some cool sunglasses. They could also experience the thrill of sliding down a giant inflatable slide or practice their aim in an exciting ax-throwing practice.
And for those who preferred a more relaxed pace, there were fun activities like Jenga and badminton to enjoy, or they could put their artistic skills to work creating a custom tie-dyed t-shirt.
