This past week has been full of numerous Homecoming events. Some events like the pep rally and the football game continue to be fan favorites, but it’s inevitable that some homecoming events fall short of the energy that other events excel at.
UND’s Hawktober Fest was advertised as being a culturally diverse event. The UND event calendar said, “Come and enjoy some international performances from groups on campus and in the community! There will also be some cultural food trucks set up, so come for some great food and great times!”
This description of the event made me genuinely excited to see who would be showing up. Upon my arrival to Hawktober Fest, which was held behind and in the Memorial Union, there were only two food trucks and only one had cultural food. The other food truck had gourmet hotdogs and burgers. But the food truck, Little Bangkok, didn’t disappoint. While I was hoping for much more selection, the orange chicken and noodles I got from Little Bangkok were worth standing in the wind and rain for.
Other than the two food trucks, nothing else took place outside behind the Union, but the pep band and dance team made an appearance inside the Union. Again, I was expecting and hoping for “international performances” as promised. Instead, what we got was the pep band playing the same songs they always play, the dance team doing the same sideline dances they always do, and way too many short speeches from head couches sounding like the adults from Charlie Brown echoing through the Union. Oh, and of course, The Fighting Hawk made an appearance, but seemed to avoid the giant bronze statue of himself we all love.
I had high hopes for Hawktober Fest, and I hope whoever planned it attempts it again in the future, but the false advertising and general lack of anything interesting happening made it more of a disappointment than anything else. Truly its saving grace was the Little Bangkok food truck. Not only was the food amazing, but the two women running the truck were possibly the nicest people ever.
Aubrey Roemmich is a Dakota Student Section Editor. She can be reached at [email protected].
