It's every Ball State University students' worst nightmare: the time when friends from other schools ask about spring events that would be fun to go to. The sad truth is that many students outside Ball State would choose to attend events around the state instead of the Carnival, but it doesn't have to be that way.
The Late Nite Carnival has attracted an impressive number of students in the last few years, with 2,500 in 2005 and at least 7,000 in both 2006 and 2007. The high numbers mean the Carnival is a success with Ball State students, but various problems, including long lines and conflicting events at other state universities, could be easily fixed with a few minor changes. This year, the Carnival fell on the same weekend as Indiana University's Little 500 and Purdue University's Grand Prix, drawing Ball State students to other campuses.
Four years after its inception, the Late Nite Carnival has become the premier spring event for Ball State students. It's time the university expands on this success and gives Ball State its own weekend-long festival of fun.
Whether it's extending the Carnival to two days to lessen lines or working with student organizations and sponsors to develop a day full of concernts and events, a Carnival weekend has the potential to give Ball State social appeal. Organizers would need to plan top-notch, high-interest events such as a concert from a national act on McKinley Avenue or a block party in the Village or even our own athletic competition to rally a crowd.
Money is not a barrier - it's an excuse.
Organizers need to gather support groups and local business sponsors to show the rest of Indiana Ball State can party too. University administrators and SGA should also form an exploratory committee to look into a weekend festival in conjunction with, or around, the Carnival.
The Late Nite Carnival is a success as-is, but with simple changes in event planning and sponsorship it could become a major point of pride for Ball State students.
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