Florida A&M students gathered Friday at the recreation center’s field for another Set Friday. However, this time students were celebrating FAMU’s 126th birthday.
The Set Friday Carnival featured two large water slides, water balloons, free food and FAMU’s own DJ Loosekid.
“We’re doing our pre-game leading up to homecoming,” said Brandi Tatum, coordinator of Greek life and student involvement said. “This is our carnival day. We have two water slides out here, we have carnival food out here and this is just getting the students excited and ready for homecoming and spirit day in two weeks.”
Although getting off to a slow start, in a matter of minutes the field was filled with students and the smells of cotton candy, popcorn, nachos and snow cones filled the air.
Rajeeb Adams’ clothes were drenched from getting an early start on the water slides. But the sophomore agri-business student from Tallahassee still smiled as he continued to eat his nachos.
“Events like this bring out the spirit of FAMU,” Adams said.
Hands gathered and clapped along as the Marching “100” played “S.O.S.,” and students smiled and laughed while imitating the strategic movements of the band.
Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority showed their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing studded bras over their T-shirts and also collected donations throughout the event , coining the phrase “bras for the cause.”
As the temperature reached 88 degrees, several students fanned themselves with fliers to keep cool while enjoying the performances from Greek sororities, fraternities and dance troupes.
Taylor Rhoads, a freshman business administration student from Fort Lauderdale, found other ways to keep cool.
“I think the water slide was a good idea,” Rhoads said. “Even though it’s very hot outside, it still works out.”
As the event came to a close, several students ran to the slide and many watched and danced to popular songs such as “Hannah Montana” by Migos and “Foolish” by R&B singer Ashanti.
Set Friday Carnival drew out a number of people, and the energy on the field was evident.
“School can be so stressful, and this is a way to relieve it and just have fun,” said Jahkkari Foster, a junior criminal justice student from Tallahassee.
Airiayana Sullivan contributed to this article.