USC's third annual SpringFest came to Greene Street on Wednesday, with a carnival-like atmosphere and many different activities for students to participate in.
Drew Pieranunzi, who is a staff member with Carolina Productions as well as a second-year risk management and insurance student, was working at the inflatables, which included a blow-up course that requires two participants to race each other and another with swinging bars that required contestants to balance on platforms to avoid them.
“SpringFest is a collection of events that happen simultaneously throughout the day,” Pieranunzi said.
That collection included the inflatables, an obstacle course, a magic show, a henna tattoo table, photo booth, a DJ, street sign making and a stage for the B.o.B performance.
There were quite a few students whose attention was caught by the "FreakShow & Tell," hosted by Thom Britton, who drew a crowd throughout his performances. The show is explained as science, history and insanity according to Britton. Britton is known for fire eating, nailing nails through his nostrils and playing with more than 100,000 volts of electricity on stage.
Lauren Cunningham, a first-year German student was intrigued by the FreakShow & Tell.
“It’s kind of the thing to get away from the mundane college life,” said Cunningham.
Kaitlyn Broad, a first-year business student was another one of the students who participated in the FreakShow & Tell. Broad helped Britton light a fire with volts of electricity.
“I kind of just walked up on it, didn’t know what it was and ended up on stage,” Broad said.
Along with Broad, Owen Bailey-Hamiel, a second-year economics student, was a part of the FreakShow & Tell. Bailey-Hamiel held an apple with his mouth while Britton used a chainsaw to cut an “O” into the apple to resemble his first initial.
“I’ve got like a big paper due tomorrow and this was really nice for taking my mind off it,” Bailey-Hamiel said.
Gabby Safa, a second-year pharmacy student, received a henna tattoo and a character drawing. Safa said she enjoyed the diversity of the activities that were available at SpringFest.
“I walk outside and see all these fun things going on and it’s like ‘oh okay well it’s just something to take my mind off all these stresses in my life,’” Safa said.
As students walk to and from classes they can engage in activities to help take their mind off of their school assignments, Pieranunzi said. This idea is something that was common amongst those participating.
Laura Wellons, the daytime events coordinator for Carolina Productions and second-year anthropology student, agreed that students can use SpringFest to relax.
“It’s really a great way to bring people together and let them hangout and de-stress,” she said.