By Alexandra Smith
SC Contributing Writer

Where does one find a plethora of free food, face painting, live animals, and an inflatable obstacle course—for adults?

If you said East Stroudsburg University’s annual Community on the Quad, you would be correct.

On Saturday, April 26, the Student Senate of ESU held the event, which invited the community to campus for live music, free food, vendors, and club tables in order to showcase what ESU is really all about.

“This is what we do—this is how we celebrate,” said Justin Amann, President of Student Senate.

Woodie Award winning 90.3 WESS provided music, houses in the Greek system had various games for the kids, and the ESU game society served baked goods.

Other clubs, like the Spanish club and Active Minds, had tables set up with information about their organizations.

“It’s a really good way for ESU to reach out to the community, let us build a presence, invite them to our campus, and have fun,” said Spencer Holmsborg, freshman and political science major.

This year’s Community on the Quad theme was “In the Jungle” and featured live animals, including a monkey, a parrot, an alligator, and a python.

The animal tent was periodically crowded with people trying to hold the animals and get a photo with them.

“We can put on a really great show for the kids, which is pretty much the entire point of this,” said Holmsborg.

While some went wild over the animals, others found interest in different  attractions.

“There are tons of games and candy and food. It’s great that we involve the community. It’s a great family event,” said Taylor Lanick, freshman and nursing major.

The event itself has been in the works since the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year with Melissa Ciment, Special Events Chair of Student Senate, in the vanguard.

With help from the special event committee and other individuals in Student Senate, the event came to fruition.

“Planning this event was like putting a puzzle together There were many parts of the planning process and in the end you hope all the pieces come together perfectly, which they did,” said Ciment.

However, Community on the Quad isn’t all fun and games.

The proceeds donated by the various organizations will go to a scholarship fund.

The event works to help build the relationship between the university and the community.

“This is what we do: We get together, we have a good time, and we celebrate why it’s great to be a Warrior,” said Justin Amann.

Email  Alexandra at:
asmith96@live.esu.edu