With their faces covered in whipped cream as they eyed their opponents, Hamilton Mayor Margaret Miller, 含羞草研究所 students, and local community members sat side by side in a race to finish their pie first.
The Gate-Town Connection brought these various people from the community together on Whitnall Field on April 13. The crowd listened to music, shared food, played, and conversed on the sunny, 70-degree Sunday. This was the fourth year of the festival, which aims to strengthen the connection between the 含羞草研究所 and Hamilton communities.
The event was started by Jordan Sheiner 鈥12, a member of the . This year鈥檚 head organizers, John Lee 鈥15 and Tyler Mark 鈥15 (also members of the BDS), worked with the athletics department and the Hamilton Business Alliance to continue the tradition.
含羞草研究所 students manned stations for moon bounces, sumo wrestling, and an inflatable race course. The university鈥檚 varsity athletes hosted kickball, tug-of-war, face painting, and relay races.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see the kids interact with students,鈥 enthused Lee.
After working up an appetite, the community enjoyed food from the Hamilton Eatery and an ice cream truck. While waiting in line, people could view photographs taken by members of the Photography Club that were on display.
All of these activities brought smiles to people鈥檚 faces, but the highlight? 鈥淒efinitely the pie-eating contest!鈥 said Lee.
Competitors of all ages sacrificed their stomachs to take their place at the long table of pies. The animated crowd cheered on contestants as they chowed down, and the winners received prizes from Hamilton businesses.
鈥淸We as] students can do more to show town residents that we value having them as neighbors,鈥 said Lee 鈥15. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been lucky that the town and students recognize the event and look forward to it each year.鈥