The American University quad transformed into a cornucopia of color and canines for the second annual Pups and Pumpkins fall festival on Oct. 24.
Pups and Pumpkins promotes connection among faculty, students and community members by holding a plethora of events, including lawn games, a live DJ, a popcorn station and culinary offerings from the student-run on-campus cafe, The Bridge.
“It’s really a takeover of the entire quad,” Associate Director of Student Programs and Signature Events Alexis Fuentes said.
The event’s highlight was a costume contest for community members’ pets.
Pets big and small were encouraged to dress up, and attendees voted on the best costume. Mariely Suarez works at a campus research lab as a graduate assistant. Her dog Mina, who dressed as the pope, was crowned the first-place winner.
“I like that it was a funny costume,” Suarez said. “With the tense time, I think it needed to be.”
Fuentes also emphasized the importance of the event as a place where students can come together during midterms and wind down in a festive environment.
The Center for Student Involvement organized the event. The apple-dipping table, hosted by AU Dining, included prepackaged apple slices and a wide variety of dipping options, such as caramel and sunflower sauce, with candy corn, sprinkles and marshmallows to top off the treat. Other activities included a mechanical bull ride, wood coaster painting, volleyball and custom caricatures.
“I’m having so much fun I wish I could skip my next class,” Laila Atoui, a first-year student in the School of International Service, said.
The Pups and Pumpkins celebration was not limited to students — faculty and community members were also welcome and encouraged to attend with their dogs.
Many of the canine contestants were brought by faculty members, including Yoshi — Director of On-Campus Programs Tiana Hakimzadeh’s dog — was dressed as Troy Bolton from the “High School Musical” trilogy.
“It’s wonderful to see everybody out here on a beautiful afternoon in the fall,” University President Jonathan Alger said to The Eagle. “This is all about building community and school spirit.”
This article was edited by Payton Anderson, Abigail Hatting and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting, Avery Grossman, Ariana Kavoossi, Audrey Smith and Ava Stuzin.
