The University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA) launched a new tradition on March 21 with its inaugural on-campus Spring Equinox Celebration. The event provided students with an afternoon of creative activities, community spirit, and a lively celebration of the changing season.
A Vibrant Celebration at Highsmith Student Union
Held at the Highsmith Student Union, the event was organized by the university’s events department. Halle Strahan, the director of university events, shared her perspective on the event’s success: “When I look around, I hope to see attendees enjoying themselves—talking, laughing, interacting with each other, and taking part in activities. That’s the clear visual that the event is going well.”
Strahan emphasized that the Spring Equinox Celebration aimed to bring people together and connect them to the season. She hoped attendees would leave feeling glad they attended and inspired to return for future pop-up events.
Activities Celebrating the Season
The celebration featured various stations, each offering a unique experience related to the spring equinox. Some popular activities included:
- DIY bouquet station
- Pot painting
- The Food Equity Initiative’s fruit pop-up
- Indigenous beadwork demonstrations
- Flower arrangement workshops
Strahan also highlighted the behind-the-scenes teamwork involved in organizing such events. “I like for other organizers to feel calm and confident in the event’s planning process and execution,” she explained. “Even if a snag arises, we aim to address it quickly and professionally without disrupting the attendee experience.”
The Role of University Events Team
The university’s events team plays a vital role in managing campus events, including smaller gatherings like the Spring Equinox Celebration. Maddy Smart, a student assistant in the university events department, explained how the team handles event planning. “We check in our software, EMS, to see if what’s being requested is possible and ensure all the details are set for smooth execution,” she said.
Smart also shared her experience of helping to organize and decorate for events. “It was a lovely event, probably my favorite so far this semester. It was clearly a hit with students, as we had a lot of traffic and some stations even ran out of supplies!” she added.
Collaboration Across Campus Departments
Various university departments and student organizations contributed to the success of the event. Mikaela Futrell, a special populations event coordinator for Student Transitions & Family Programs, represented her department at the celebration. “It was important for our office to be present to promote our upcoming First Generation Celebration Day,” she explained. “We believe it’s essential for non-traditional students to know they have support here on campus.”
Futrell’s department ran the pot painting station, which became a popular activity, especially as plants were being given away nearby. “The event was extremely well-attended,” Futrell said, adding that she was pleasantly surprised by the high turnout.
Success and Future Plans
Strahan noted the event’s overwhelming success, with busy stations from the moment it started. “I didn’t expect the event to be as well-attended as it was,” she said. “Knowing this for next time, I would make sure to have more supplies at each station.” The flower stations ran out quickly, reflecting the event’s popularity.
Looking ahead, Strahan expressed her excitement for future collaborations. “It’s so rewarding to see such an amazing turnout,” she said. “I hope that spending even a few minutes at the event brightens someone’s day and gives them something fun to take home.”
