Bright colors and the smell of food weren’t the only things that attracted 1,200 people to the third annual Family Fun Fair held on Saturday, Sept. 22. The fair, hosted by the UVU Alumni Association, was held on the east side of campus behind President Holland’s home and went from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Jeri Allphin, director of the Alumni Association, said that three years ago, President Holland met with the Alumni Association and asked them to plan an event that would bring UVU alumni and their families together.
“We wanted a fair-type atmosphere,” Allphin said. Since then, the Alumni Association has thrown the Family Fun Fair every year.
Activities at the fair were geared toward various age groups. Between the motorcycle show, bike rally, free food, live music, a photo booth and a rock wall, attendees had a lot of entertaining options from which to choose.
Some were directed more toward children, including giant bounce houses, face painting, paintings on large canvases and balloon animals and hats.
Ofa Moeai, who attended UVU before it was made a university, came with her husband and six children to the fair. One of her children said with a shy smile that she enjoyed the bounce house.
“We heard it was a family activity, so we gathered up the kids and came,” Moeai said.
Cotton candy, ice cream, dutch oven food, sausages and a pancake breakfast played a big part in the fair and were all served. Moeai said she was excited about the pancake breakfast.
Also present were various kiosks promoting many UVU programs, some of which were the dance programs. Freshman Celeste Carlisle was one of ten dancers present at the Family Fun Fair promoting the UVU Dance Team.
“We came to perform, make an appearance and support our school,” Carlisle said.
Nick Bloxsom-Carter, 21, was at the fair promoting the Ballroom Team and is beginning his fourth year on the team.
“The Ballroom Team has been a great experience,” Bloxsom-Carter said. “We have traveled all over the USA and we’ve been to England.”
Eight ballroom dancers were present every hour to support the team.
The Green Man Group also made an appearance at the fair. Percussionists dressed in full green body suits marched to the main stage at the fair and interacted with the audience during multiple performances.
Jamie Makin, a UVU graduate, attended the fair with her husband and three kids.
“The drums have been fun and the bounce house has been a big hit with the kids,” Makin said.
