At the steps of the Tower and surrounding area, students enjoy free food, live music from student bands and well-known headliners, a student resource fair as well as games and other activities.
Hosted by Campus Events + Entertainment, Forty Acres Fest is a free annual spring event for students and visitors, with live music, games and food. This Saturday, the festival ran throughout the afternoon into the evening, closing off with a headliner performance from singer and rapper FERG. Matthew Abejuela, an electrical and computer engineering freshman, said he attended the event for the live music and to support student performers from his organization.
“I heard about (Forty Acres Fest) through … UTalent Records, the student-run record label on campus,” Abejuela said. “There’s two of our current artists performing today. … I came out to support with the time that I can.”
Holding cotton candy and waiting to play skee-ball, Kathleen Song, a biomedical engineering freshman, attended the event with her friend. Song said that these events help people get out of their shells.
“Taking initiative to make plans with friends is really important,” Song said. “Having access to so many events on campus is a great way to meet new people.”
With over 4,000 attendees throughout the day, the event drew a large crowd filled with current and future students. Juan Carra, a class of ‘29 Longhorn, attended the Welcome to Texas event before he and his mom heard about the festival. Carra said other future Longhorns should attend these events.
“I would recommend (UT prospects) come to the events so that they can get more involved on campus and just embrace the Longhorn spirit,” Carra said.
Eloisa Uscanga, an Asian cultures and languages freshman and FLiPster for E+E, said these events provide students with enjoyable experiences.
“Our motto for E+E is for students, by students,” Uscanga said. “So I feel like it’s important that (students) come to an E+E event because you get to know more people and have fun at UT.”
The festival ended with a performance from Oblé Reed and FERG. Interacting with the crowd, Reed excited attendees for the headliner, taking pictures with the audience and talking to the students at the barricade.
“College shows are always interesting but super fun,” Reed said. “People are closer to my age and are willing to give energy once you break through to it. Everybody was super welcoming, excited and supportive after the set.”
