Bicentennial Celebration Features Symphoria, Food Trucks
Community members line up at PB&J’s Lunchbox, a food truck that took part in the celebration.
Colgate began its Bicentennial Kickoff Weekend with a celebration featuring a pep rally, live music and food trucks on Whitnall Field on Friday, September 21. Colgate’s Bicentennial Weekend combined Homecoming and Parents’ Weekend into one big event.
Friday’s festivities began at 6 p.m. with a pep rally in preparation for Saturday’s homecoming football game against Lafayette. The pep band and cheerleading squad ushered in the foot- ball team, who gathered for speeches by Director of Athletics Nicki Moore and Head Football Coach Dan Hunt. The two lauded the success of the football team thus far, expressing their hopes of continuing the team’s winning streak.
“We’re going to try to be brief so we can get to the symphony,” Hunt said, giving up the floor to Symphoria, central New York’s professional orchestra.
Symphoria performed several pieces, including a compilation of songs titled “Musicals Meet the Movies,” that featured songs from “The Sound of Music,” “The King and I” and “Hello Dolly.”
Soloist Julia Goodwin, who appeared on “America’s Got Talent,” performed with the orchestra, singing songs from “Chicago,” “Carousel and Cabaret.”
Due to the winds and impending storm, the concert ended early, but not without a finale featuring music from Stars Wars. As the conductor thanked Colgate for the opportunity to ring in its next century, he acknowledged a member of Symphoria who was a Colgate alumnus. The per- former then stood up and waved his bicentennial hat.
Throughout the night, 13 food trucks provided complimentary meals to the attendees. The options ranged from tacos and barbecue to unique grilled cheese sandwiches, gyros and pizza. Good Nature Brewery served a bicentennial beer, dubbed “No. 13,” that was crafted specially for the weekend.
In addition, Hamilton bakery Flour and Salt served a red velvet cake in the shape of Colgate’s new branded C, large enough to feed 2,000 people.
According to Flour and Salt’s Instagram page, the cake was 20 feet by 20 feet, and was made up of 38 sheet cakes that were frozen over time until it was time to assemble.
A fireworks show closed out the event, at 8 p.m.
First-year Bianca Delbusto shared her excitement for the event. “It was really fun to be able to have such a big celebration with friends and family all in one place. I really enjoyed the fireworks,” Delbusto said. “The giant cake shaped like a C was also a very special addition.”
First-year parents Vikki and Chris King agreed with Delbusto. “[The kickoff] was so much fun. The ‘Gate spirit is really infectious,” Vikki King said.
“It’s a great time to be a part of this long tradition. We feel very proud that our daughter will contribute to this remarkable institution,” Chris King said.
Contact Haley Fuller at [email protected].
