We all know college is a lot more than just going to class.
Campuses teem with events every day — and there are a few lesser-known ones at GW that you shouldn’t miss. You’ve heard about Fall Fest and Spring Fling, but other smaller events throughout the year are worth checking out.
Take a look at five events you should mark on your calendar:
A Cappella Palooza October
A cappella is one of those quintessential cornerstones of liberal arts colleges, and GW is no exception. Five groups will show off their talents as they sing for parents and family during Colonials’ Weekend. The audience will be composed of fellow students, parents with obsolete videotape recorders rooting on their children and grandmas grooving to the smooth tones, so make sure you don’t miss it.
Tickets are $5.
Raas Chaos November
Get cultured with performances by Indian dance teams from colleges around the nation. The event, which has run for the last 14 years, usually takes place in Lisner Auditorium and brings together teams from schools like Boston and Rutgers universities to perform their take on the Raas style of Indian folk dancing.
Tickets last year cost between $10 and $15. Arrive early and make sure to not miss GW’s Raas group perform first.
George Washington’s Birthday Bonfire February
The University also takes the time to celebrate its namesake’s birthday each year, even if he was born nearly 300 years ago.
Attendees can expect a giant bonfire, free s’mores and speeches from officials like University President Steven Knapp. George the Colonial, the University’s mascot, also makes an appearance at the event — and he’ll probably high-five you and take a picture with you if you want.
Fountain Day April
Just like mothers, fathers and dead presidents, the Mount Vernon Campus’ fountain also deserves a day for celebration. Fountain Day signals the first day of the year that the fountain will flow after the winter. Students can expect to see bouncy castles, performances by student groups and decadent sweets like snow cones and cotton candy during the all-day celebration.
The event is free — and the cotton candy is all-you-can-eat.
Arts Fest and Chalk-In April
Right before it’s time to start studying for finals, officials block off a part of H Street to give way to creativity through chalk.
The block of H Street in between 21st and 22nd Streets closes to traffic so that students can mark up the sidewalk and street with any sort of design they want. Some opt to plug their favorite student organizations by drawing their logos while others sketch inspirational quotes.
