Matador Fun Fest – Family, Food, Fun

  • Students lit up the night with glow sticks as they danced at the silent disco at the Matador Fun Fest at the University Student Union on Sept. 23. 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins

  • The Maze Runner carnival game was a big hit with students at the Matador Fun Fest, on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Performers with CSUN’s Jishin Taiko Ensemble brought the art of Japanese American drumming to the Matador Fn Fest on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Hungry Matadors had a number of choices, including crispy fries, (name one or two other foods that were offered) at the Matador Fun Fest on Sept. 23, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • The D.J. kept the music– and the party– going at the silent disco at Matador Fun Fest on Sept. 23, 2022 at the University Student Union. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

Matador Fun Fest shaped up to be a night of family, friends and fun! The event occurred on Sept. 23 at the University Student Union, and was set up like a carnival. There was even a midway, featuring classic games like Spin the Wheel and Fish in a Bowl, where people tried to toss small balls into a small fish bowl. The winners of these games could turn in tickets to enter a raffle contest–prizes included a $50 Amazon gift card or a Nintendo Switch.

The silent disco was a popular feature as the night went on. Signs led people to the USU Northridge Center, where they were given glow-in-the-dark accessories, along with headphones to dance with their friends. The strobe lights and glow-in-the-dark decorations made the room light up as people danced.

Many people sat in the Plaza del Sol to watch performances by the CSUN Cheer team and CSUN’s Jishin Taiko Ensemble, a group dedicated to the art of Japanese American drumming.

CSUN graduate student and acting USU Diversity Initiatives supervisor Janessa Reyes remarked on the sense of community at events like this one.

“Matador Fun Fest is great for a sense of belonging for our students because it also welcomes every kind of student, whether you have kids, or if you’re a first year or a transfer student,” Reyes said. “I think it really brings {together} the community, just fun games and entertainment for everyone to enjoy.”

CSUN students of all ages were in attendance, some with children or with their families. People of all ages volunteered to get up on stage to play games with the crowd of families and students seated. Volunteers were given a word and had to think quickly of a song that had the same word in the lyrics.

Food and beverages were offered at separate tables, prepared by volunteers. Many of the drinks offered had flavors that ranged from pineapple to cucumber lime, and strawberry lemonade. Crispy, seasoned french fries with the choice of chili, cheese and gravy as a topping. Beef and chicken were also offered as toppings for the plates.\

The feeling of community lingered throughout the event, as children and adults laughed, sang and danced the night away.  

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