image by Hogan Hickman
The morning of October 22 was a classic fall mountain morning. A layer of white mist drifted through the paths, contrasting with a pale blue October sky. It was chilly, but not cold, perfect for hoodies and coffee. By afternoon the fog had burned away, and the lawn had begun to accumulate new additions in the form of pumpkins and hay bales.
By the time evening rolled around, the party had begun. Chapel lawn was taken over by a life-sized game of hungry hungry hippos, students tethered to the sides of an inflatable arena scrambling for plastic balls, cheered on by watching students. On the chapel steps, someone played the guitar, fiddling with the sound system. On the Brock Lawns, a sea of students were adorned with sweaters and flannel.
Beneath the Carter awning were tables of food and drink; corndogs, Goodman’s Coffee made-to-order, and a table spread with deserts. Lucy Sicks ‘24 was particularly fond of the deserts. “I had the most fun passing out the pastries and giving the rundown at high speeds,” she said. She took particular delight in watching the growing confusion on the confectionery-seekers’ faces.
The front of Carter was also the location of the pie-in-the-face contest. In order to raise money for Afghan relief efforts, students had the day to donate money in the name of the candidate they wished to see receive a face-full of whipped cream, choosing between Professor Jeff Morton, Chaplain Grant Lowe, Coach Katie Stanford, President Derek Halvorson, and Dr. Tim Sceggel.
“If anyone was going to throw pies at me, at least it was my seniors,” said Coach Stanford, wiping the pie off her face with wax paper as she received the questionable honor of the victory, with over a hundred dollars raised in her name.
Notable stars of the event included Aspen, Luna, and Baily, three wonderful golden retrievers who showed up to be showered with affection by Covenant students, eager to distribute pats, pets, and scratches to the good dogs.
Down on the overlook, the festivities continued. Two fire pits were the home of marshmallow roasting — or in some cases, marshmallow charring. The O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack created a backdrop to the chatter as students painted miniature white pumpkins with everything from flowers, to faces, to funny phrases. Tables by the fountain provided festival-goers with hot chocolate and steaming apple cider.
Perhaps the highlight of the evening arrived after dark, when Becca Moore led a hoedown in front of the chapel. For an hour, students danced to Cotton Eyed Joe did the Virginia Reel, dancing until they were too tired to keep going.
The Fall Festival is one of the newest events for the Covenant Campus, only getting a start last year, due in part to the long stretch before break caused by the new school calendar. This year, with lighter Covid restrictions in place, it was even more vibrant than before, and students are looking forward to it becoming a Fall staple on Covenant’s Campus.