Every year, towards the end of the spring semester, the Hamline University Programming Board (HUPB) plans one of the biggest events students can attend: Fireball. Each year, the theme for Fireball changes; last year, it was a masquerade ball, and this year, it was the Great Gatsby. The theme inspired many students to dress close to outfits worn during that era, which was the 1920s.
The event started at 8 p.m., at which students and their guests arrived at the Nicollet Island Pavilion. After checking in, attendees were welcomed with tables filled with food such as pizza, finger foods and desserts offered by the venue’s caterers. Afterwards, students entered the venue where tables and a small dance floor were set up. Near the dance floor, there were different opportunities to capture moments from the event with both a 360 and Polaroid photo booth, and for those 21 and older, a cash bar was sectioned on the left side of the venue.
“You have to find a venue that works for the amount of people, on average, we have around 600 to 700. So that’s a big venue, some venues have their own specific food vendors, and others you have to reach out to a separate one,” HUPB Special Events Programmer Heather Chandler said.
As more attendees arrived either by driving or by taking the provided shuttle buses, the venue became filled with chatter, laughs and music as time went on. As the DJ played the Fireball playlist and requested songs, many joined on the dance floor singing along to “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers and “Starships” by Nicki Minaj, to name a few. Soon the dance floor was packed as attendees danced along to the “Cupid Shuffle”, which was played at last year’s Fireball dance as well.
While the theme was The Great Gatsby, attendees were not required to strictly follow the theme for their attire. While the majority of the attendees did have outfits that were 1920s and flapper-esque, there were also a few that were just normal semi-formal attire. When it comes to themed dances, some go out of their way to find their outfits or others reuse an outfit from the previous year so it is worn more than once.
“Last year, the theme was a masquerade ball because I had rewatched an old show called Pretty Little Liars (2010-2017), where they had a masquerade theme for one of the parties in the show. I thought it was a theme that you hear about but don’t really see a lot so I wanted to incorporate it with the theme,” senior Bri Cook said via email
Throughout the night, as the attendees danced, enjoying each other’s time and company, smiles and laughs were everywhere throughout the whole event. While there was an even split between those dancing it up on the dance floor or sitting at tables chatting and enjoying the delicious food and drinks provided, all around the venue you could see various attendees either making new connections or hanging out with friends that they haven’t seen due to varying schedules.
“I love how everyone comes together and has fun and celebrates,” Hamline University Student Congress External President and HUPB off-campus programmer Elisa Lopez said.
As the event came to a close and attendees took one last photo together as a group or danced their last dance before heading back out to their cars or to last shuttle back to campus, for many this night created just one memorable memory in their life as a college student, for some this was the last Fireball they will attend and for others this was their very first.
“I hope students can just take the night off to have fun with their friends and not have to worry about any stress, at least while they are in the moment. I feel like Fireball’s always a time for me to catch up with all of my friends at once, see some that I haven’t talked to in a while, and even meet new people and friends,” Cook said.