Union Board kicks off Little 500 with celebration

Music blasted across Dunn Meadow as the Indiana Memorial Union Board presented the Little Five Kick-Off Bash on Tuesday. The event included activities such as a mastering a mechanical bull, climbing a rock wall and racing through an inflatable obstacle course, and it was enjoyed by IU students, staff and Bloomington residents alike.  

“I heard about this event because my friend texted me and told me to get over here,” freshman Joe Mayer said. “I participated in all the events, which turned into a highly competitive activity.”

Throughout the evening, laughter could be heard soaring across the meadow as people got stuck on the obstacle course, didn’t make it to the top of the wall, were bashed around by large, soft sticks or were thrown by the mechanical bull.

Junior Harrison Carter slowly stepped into the ring and approached the legless black and white bull. Moving quickly, he swung a leg over the mechanical bull and grabbed the small piece of rope sticking out of its back. He was thrown off within 10 seconds.

“I’m a member of the Union Board and helped put this whole thing together,” Carter said. “It took months of planning, and I think it has paid off. It’s been a really fun event that brings people at IU together, and that’s what we like to do. And I have especially enjoyed this bull here.”

As people challenged each other to the battering pit, freshman Hunter Tobe shouted words of encouragement from the sidelines.

“C’mon guys, I won,” Tobe said. “Just do it!”

Tamer events of the evening included free henna tattoos, caricatures and corn hole. All of the activities presented at the bash created a good turnout, Erin Brown, design director of Union Board, said.

“We started setting up around 2:30 and were running a little behind,” Brown said. “We got things set up and running pretty quickly, though. We’ve been planning this for about five weeks, and we’re actually thinking about turning it into a yearly thing since the turnout was so good.”

Free food was offered to students, and the line stretched across the entire end of Dunn Meadow.

“The food started coming off the grill around 4:30,” Brown said. “That’s when the first big line started, and it was definitely big.”

Scents from the grilled hamburgers and hotdogs filled the meadow, and people working the grill were kept on their toes as hungry students continued to come. Chips, soda and water were also served.

Things were kept on a student-friendly basis as the word “free” greeted them from many angles.

“Free food, free shirts, free fun, works for me,” Mayer said.

Cotton candy, icees, Pizza X cups and Jimmy Johns sandwiches were also given away free of charge.

While people were waiting in line, either for food, caricatures or activities, small dance parties sprang up everywhere. Inspired by the music blaring from the speakers, Carter danced a few steps with his friends.

“I think this has turned out to be an awesome event,” Carter said. “It was a fun way to kick off Little Five week.”