By Katie Wilson

The Homecoming Carnival took place at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union on Oct. 30 to kick off Homecoming weekend at the University of Maryland. Originally scheduled to be outside on the Mckeldin Mall, the event had to switch locations late last week due to forecasted rain. 

“It’s kind of disappointing that it’s not outside,” said junior journalism student Ross O’Keefe. “but it’s still fun.” 

On the ground floor, the Student Involvement Suite hosted an array of  activities. Teddy, the UMD Police Department’s comfort dog, had a line of attendees waiting for their turn to pet and hang out with him. Various carnival games and bowls of candy were also present. 

The basement had balloon artists and face painting available. Terpzone set up a beer garden and carnival treats. A DJ blasted music throughout Stamp and passed out prizes during trivia sessions. 

The first floor had a free photo booth available for students and alumni. Local apartment complexes had booths on this floor as well to present to students still deciding on housing for next school year. For the first 400 students who signed up, there was a homecoming scarf giveaway also on this floor. 

“It’s really fun, I’m really glad we still held it despite the rain,” said freshman public health science major Chuk Nwobi. 

The indoor event garnered less crowds than in typical years, due most likely to the weather and the pandemic. 

“The homecoming carnival would have been better if it was outside, but I do appreciate the effort that was made to still have it on Friday despite the rain,” said international relations and history freshman Risa Wagner.

Explore more photos of the carnival below.