The event was self-paced, allowing attendees to travel from stall to stall as they pleased. Right by the entrance was catered food by Binghamton University’s own Mein Bowl. The menu featured orange chicken, teriyaki chicken, white rice, fried rice, fruit tea, Yeo’s water chestnut drink and snow skin mooncakes, lovingly handmade by the Chinascope E-Board.

“I am delighted to be welcoming our society’s first major Mid-Autumn Festival event before my graduation,” Zetong Lu, an advisor for Chinascope and a senior majoring in mathematics, wrote in an email. “In China, the Mid-Autumn Festival is an immensely significant occasion, second only to the Spring Festival in importance. While it is a time when families traditionally gather, being unable to reunite with one’s own family yet able to come together with new friends on campus is equally cause for celebration.”

Stations featuring various games and activities were scattered around the Mandela Room. The first stop was the “Mooncake Toss,” where two participants competed to see who could land the most mooncakes through the target. Attendees also played the “Giant Jump Rope” challenge, a test of stamina to see how long they can jump for.

For those who preferred a mental challenge, the “Riddles and Trivia” stations offered a chance to test decoding skills and festival knowledge. After exercising their mind, attendees could test their aim in the “Arrow Toss” game before heading to the “Chopstick Challenge,” where players raced to move the most marbles from one plate to another using only a pair of wooden chopsticks.

Jocelyn Fang, a member of Chinascope and a sophomore majoring in biochemistry, discussed some of the challenges that came with organizing the event.

“This is our first time doing Moon Festival,” Fang said. “It’s our first big event in the fall semester, so it’s something new that we’re trying, so that was a little hard.”

During the games, participants earned tickets that can be redeemed at two special stations — the Polaroid decor and prize tables. At the Polaroid station, guests could use one ticket to take and decorate a photo with their friends in front of a hand-painted banner created by Chinascope’s art director, Rachel Tan, a sophomore majoring in art and design.

Those who saved up their tickets could exchange them for prizes depending on the amount, encouraging increased participation in games. The prizes included a matcha set, a $15 gift certificate to Uma Omakase, Lulu the Piggy blind boxes, Lilo & Stitch and Sanrio keychain blind boxes, along with an assortment of candy and Asian snacks. The event concluded at 8 p.m. after hours of fun games, friendly competition and delicious food.

Emily Su, one of Chinascope’s representatives and a sophomore majoring in business administration, shared her thoughts on the event turnout.

“I really think the banquet is doing really well, the turnout is awesome,” Su said. “I love seeing everyone be so engaged with all the activities.”

The event was a resounding success, as students had the chance to participate in fun challenges and celebrate Chinese culture.

Lu expressed his hopes for the future of Mid-Autumn festivals hosted at the University.

“I sincerely hope that more Mid-Autumn Festival activities will continue after I leave the University,” Lu wrote. “If I may express a wish, given that the term ‘Mid-Autumn’ in China is synonymous with reunion, it would be truly exciting if the university could organize a Mid-Autumn Festival evening gathering where all societies could come together.”

Whether you live in Newing College, Dickinson Community, College-in-the-Woods, Mountainview College, Hinman College or the Apartments, there are a variety of ways to get involved in your community.

Newing College

Newing College is known for its vibrant traditions and social community. Its oldest tradition is Newing Navy, hosted in the spring semester to celebrate the new season and featuring karaoke, games, dances and a bouncy house.

Promoting diversity and inclusiveness, Newing College is also home to the Lavender Living Community, an all-inclusive, supportive residential experience for LGBTQ+ students and allies. During Homecoming weekend, Newing College hosts several events for residents and alumni to chat or play a friendly game of co-rec volleyball and football.

Dickinson Community 

Dickinson Community houses one of the most active community governments. The Dickinson Town Council helps organize many social events, such as Semi-Formal and Mutant Mania, a competition between all the community buildings in the spring, featuring athletic events like football, volleyball, frisbee and more.

Dickinson also has CoRE — Computer, Robotics and Engineering — a learning living community in O’Connor Hall. To all the football fanatics, Dickinson Community hosts co-rec football every fall, available for all students to participate.

College-in-the-Woods 

College-in-the-Woods is one of Binghamton’s oldest communities, and it fosters many cultural traditions. Casino-in-the-Woods, one of the oldest traditions at College-in-the-Woods, turns the dining hall into a fully functioning Casino featuring real games that allow players to win real money.

For a night filled with free snacks and live music, stop by the Woods Jam, a night where student bands perform for the community. Like other residential communities, College-in-the-Woods also has friendly sports competitions at its Woods Olympics, featuring volleyball, basketball and relay races as well as co-rec football outside of the event.

Mountainview College 

Mountainview College is known for Mountainview Jams, a space for students to perform or enjoy live shows. In the fall, students can enjoy a fall-themed gathering where they can paint pumpkins while sipping on cider.

The community also hosts Salamander Days, an event in the spring where yellow spotted salamanders slowly emerge from within the Nature Preserve, located just across the road. To celebrate this natural milestone, the Mountainview College community competes in a series of contests.

Hinman College 

Hinman College is filled with energy and spirit, home to the largest student council in Binghamton. Dorm Wars is a tradition in the fall semester where each building competes under a chosen theme in a variety of events. The spring is home to Hysteria, an annual competition similar to Dorm Wars that features games, performances and Hinman pride.

This living community also has its own theatre company — the Hinman Production Company — open to all students looking to get involved in musicals, plays and comedy showcases.

The Apartments 

While the Apartments may be a bit further from campus, the community still hosts several events throughout the year to foster community. The Apartments staff and student government host different social events during Welcome Weekend for new and returning students. During Family Weekend, Residential Life hides thousands of rubber ducks around the community for family and students to find and exchange for prizes.

One of the largest events hosted by the Apartments is its carnival at the end of the spring semester to celebrate a successful year. Featuring inflatables, games, food, photo booths and more, this event is open to all residential students.

No matter which living community you call home, the University makes it easy for you to get involved and make new friends. So step out of your comfort zone, check out events and see what your community has to offer — you might just find your new favorite school tradition.