(Kevin Kadooka -- The Beacon)
By Philippe Boutros, Staff Writer -- boutros14@up.edu
Last Friday, raucous screams and indie rock raised the roof of the Chiles Center. Pilotpalooza, which was canceled last year, appeared to entice the droves of students entering the building.
This is the first time the event has occurred independently of Weekend on the Bluff – Admission's welcoming event to potential incoming freshmen.
"Last year Admissions received feedback from prospies (prospective students) saying that Pilotpalooza was terrible, which is why they switched to doing the ‘Price is Right' event," CPB Director Hillary White said. "So we coordinated with Admissions on Friday to make sure that it isn't during Weekend on the Bluff."
Members of the student body were pleased with Pilotpalooza's return.
"This is a really great opportunity for students to come and have fun in an alcohol-free environment," Ben Thompson, ASUP Treasurer, said.
The queue to get in to the Chiles Center at 9 p.m. stretched all the way out to the main parking lot, but it didn't seem to be an issue for some students.
"I've been looking forward to this all year. Honestly, the line could stretch all the way to the Pilot House, and I'd still go," freshman Cameron Ell said.
Once inside, students had to sign a waiver assenting their awareness of the risks involved with the activities that were offered. After that, they were free to have fun.
"My favorite thing is the rock climbing, it's nice to get really high," freshman Elizabeth Polsin said.
Pilotpalooza featured a bouncy house, an inflatable bungee run, a rock wall, a mechanical surfboard, two henna artists and a photobooth. Although there were many activities, the long lines became an issue for some students.
"There are not enough activities for this many people to do," freshman Parker Mildenhall said. "I think that I would have preferred for there to be more events that cost less instead."
Sawtell, a student band, and Rootdown, a local band, were also contracted to play at the event, using a new sound system acquired by CPB.
"When words fail, music speaks and UP screams," Sawtell lead singer Trent Beaver said, while pausing between songs.
The live music was a welcome addition to the event, giving students waiting in line something to bob their heads to (or in some extreme cases, flat-out dance).
"The live music was pretty rad, I got a free T-shirt and I'm going to wear it every Tuesday," sophomore Katy Danforth said. "This is awesome!"
The total cost for the event, which hosted 483 students, was just shy of $12,000 and was paid for by last semester's Capital Improvement Funds.
(Kevin Kadooka -- The Beacon)
