Campus News
Go Bananas! Carnival brings high-energy fun to East Field
Students take a break before finals and enjoy the ultimate end-of-year bash.
On Saturday, May 30, nearly 2,500 students came out to the East Field ready for some pre-finals fun at the Go Bananas! Carnival on a beautiful springtime afternoon. The event was presented by the Division of Student Affairs and Success Leadership and Involvement team.
Carnival thrills and creative fun
The team transformed the field into a high-energy carnival packed with thrills, food, and slug pride.
Large attractions included mechanical bulls, zorb balls, mechanical surfboard, 8-player meltdown, bounce house, rock climbing walls, defender dome, mega sports shootout, and bungee trampoline.
Mellower, creative options included face painting, hair tinsel, caricature artists, t-shirt airbrushing and tie dye, juggling, balloon twist creations, cotton candy, and 360 video booth capture the memories, plus a Kid Zone for students with children.
A live DJ kept the music spinning and the vibe festive throughout the event.
Banana Slug birthday party
Not only was ‘Go Bananas!’ a fitting event name to go along with all the thrilling aspects of the carnival, it was also an homage to our beloved Sammy as UCSC celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Banana Slug as our official mascot. To mark the occasion, a birthday party for Sammy was part of the event, complete with cake and a performance by Mariachi Eterno de UC Santa Cruz.
Food to fuel the fun
To help students keep their energy up during the 4-hour event, UCSC Catering provided special carnival-themed treats, and onsite food trucks and pop-up food tents rounded out the variety of options.
A big shoutout to our student interns and all our volunteers who came out and supported this event!
Get to know the Center for Leadership and Involvement
The Center for Leadership and Involvement serves as a vibrant hub for campus life, providing inclusive programs, initiatives, and involvement opportunities that ensure every UC Santa Cruz student finds a place to connect, engage, and belong. Grounded in equity, retention, and student success, the center partners across campus to build a community where all students can thrive.
Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS) advances holistic student development by providing programs, services, and resources that support students’ academic achievement, personal growth, and sense of belonging. Grounded in equity and student success, the division partners across campus to create inclusive environments where all students can thrive. To learn more, visit the DSAS website and follow @ucsc.dsas on Instagram.