Mayfest concerts, corn dogs and celebrations close out school year

Mayfest concert, corn dogs and craziness closes out SU year

The annual spring party at Walnut Park featured live music from Orange Calderón, YBN Nahmir and Quinn XCII.
Published: April 28, 2018
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Paul Schlesinger / File photo
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Paul Schlesinger / File photo
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Paul Schlesinger / File photo
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Paul Schlesinger / File photo
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Paul Schlesinger / File photo
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Paul Schlesinger / File photo
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Paul Schlesinger / File photo

The smell of fried food filled the air and colorful condoms blown up like balloons floated across the gray sky above Walnut Park Friday afternoon as Syracuse University students took part in the annual year-end party ritual, Mayfest.

After warming up at parties and gatherings earlier in the day, Walnut Park’s three blocks became the epicenter of Mayfest activities with students taking in live music from Orange Calderón, YBN Nahmir and Quinn XCII, exchanging wristband tabs for free beer or wine slushies and mostly hanging with friends as spring classes come to close.

“I like seeing how together the school is honestly,” freshman Maria Rodriguez said. “The school seems a lot smaller by how many people I see at this event, which is kind of surprising.”

University Union organizers tried to avoide Mayfest surprises to a minimum by countering Syracuse’s overcast weather conditions with a slew of colorful T-shirts, signs and flags throughout the park.

“We wanted to add color just because we knew, most likely, it would be a gloomier day,” UU collaborations director Samantha Ramirez said.

Inside the standard white event tents, students were able to dance along silent disco area, play games or have their face painted.

The weather held out and students gathered near the stage to hear this year’s lineup. One of those artists was up-and-coming Detroit musician, Quinn XCII, who was back in Syracuse for his second time. He reminisced about partying after his tour performance last year at the Westcott Theater.

Quinn XCII said he performs frequently at colleges, but those gigs have been lessening as his career is starting to grow.

“I’m just a little bit more loose and fun because the vibe is definitely a lot less serious,” he said about college concerts. “It’s more of a party atmosphere.”

The party atmosphere was definitely present throughout the flow of students that afternoon, following those that migrated to the Carrier Dome for Block Party featuring Gucci Mane and SZA.