Gardner-Webb, Ruby C. Hunt Y and Town of Boiling Springs Host Octoberfest

Fun Evening for Families on Oct. 26 Includes Trunk-or-Treat, Inflatables, Games and More

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—An annual fall tradition on the Gardner-Webb campus since 2005, Octoberfest will be held on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center (LYCC). Joining the GWU campus as hosts for the second year are Ruby C. Hunt YMCA and the Town of Boiling Springs. All activities are free and open to the public.

Visitors will enjoy a Trunk-or-Treat, inflatable obstacle course and 9-hole miniature golf course provided by the Ruby YMCA, and nearly 40 games and activities sponsored by GWU athletic teams and student clubs. The Town of Boiling Springs is bringing a display of rescue vehicles. Pizza will be available for the children.

Barbara C. Fitch, operations director of the Ruby YMCA, said the partnership allows all three institutions to combine resources to offer more to the community. Her favorite part of the evening is watching the faces of the children as they light up with excitement. “Gardner-Webb University, The Town of Boiling Springs and Ruby C. Hunt YMCA partnering together has been my dream since becoming operations director of our Y in 2020,” Fitch shared. “I appreciate our partnership and look forward to more events in the future.” 

Robbie Gaines, associate minister to the University for Community Engagement & Athletic Ministries, recruits athletic teams and student groups to provide games for the children. “Octoberfest is designed to be a safe and fun environment for children and families to experience engaging activities and connect with our incredible students, faculty and staff at Gardner-Webb,” Gaines described.

Madi Mamoone, GWU student body president, said the Student Government Association handed out candy to the children last year. “We loved to see the children having fun with their families; the basketball team was directly across from us, so it was super fun to watch them shoot,” she asserted. “It was also super sweet to see all their costumes as well.”

Samuel Ritner, a graduate assistant for Student Success, said the joy and laughter of all the children is contagious. “I am so excited to get to be a part of Octoberfest again this year,” he affirmed. “I know we are there to make it fun for the kids, but I left feeling like I was more encouraged that any one of the kids!” 

Lacrosse player and graduate student, Victoria Fischetti, helped with a game sponsored by her team last year. “My favorite highlight from that night was seeing the excitement each kid—and sometimes even the parents—got when they were given a lacrosse stick and shown how to shoot at the cage,” she related. “Octoberfest is one of my favorite ways that we give back to the community, because it emphasizes that small actions make a big impact. I’m super excited to see all the kids dressed up this year and ready for another great night with the community.”

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event.  Please call 704-406-4270 or email [email protected] with your request.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.