This years’ Portland Husky Fest proved a doggone, good time not only for the students, but also for the faculty and staff. The sun and blue sky were out in full force, as opposed to last year’s rained out Husky Fest, making the welcome-back event easy to enjoy. It was held on Thursday, September 2, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
According to Christopher O’Connor, assistant to the dean of Student Life, Husky Fest “is part of the USM welcome back program that the Office of the Dean Student Life sponsors” and is “cosponsored by the USM Student Senate, Portland Gorham Events Board, the Board of Student Organization and Gorham Television.”
The festival is aimed at introducing students to community and campus resources and inspiring a sense of connectedness between the traditional and nontraditional students. The Husky Fest was filled with genuine smiles and enthusiasm from all who had time to sit and enjoy and from those just passing through on the way to their next class.
The local reggae band, Stream, included in their set a rendition of Bob Marley’s classic, “Waiting in Vain.”
Friends Angela Theriault, a senior double majoring in criminology/sociology and Jen Phelps, a senior nursing student, were among the many listening to the music from the quad. When asked what the Husky Fest represented, Theriault said that it “represents everything USM is about. It’s a great way for students to learn about what’s out there.”
Phelps said the Husky Fest “represents the whole community coming together.”
A line formed behind the mechanical bull, which was anxiously waiting to buck the bold and the beautiful. The Free Press Sports Editor Joseph Bilancieri managed to stay on for a whole 47 seconds.
The bull was just one activity available that was placed throughout the 72 tables and booths. These ranged from caricature drawings to tarot readings.
O’Connor said there were 17 student organizations, 18 community vendors, nine community services/non-profit organizations and 28 campus departments filling the Luther Bonney/Payson Smith quad. Kate Simmons, Maine state director of New Voters Project, registered approximately 150-200 voters. The Office of International Exchange’s Kimberly Sinclair, clad as a Romanian gypsy and Domenica Cipollone, wrapped in a traditional Japanese kimono, added to the diversity of the festivities. USM Sustainability Coordinator Dudley Greely was informing students of the appropriate use of the collection system for the
University’s recycling program at his booth.
The day ended with the rock music of Above 5, headed by Andi Fawcett. Fawcett belted out her raspy rendition of U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” a classic, political outcry heard across university campuses everywhere.
Bryan Webber, a first year law student said the “highlight [of the Husky Fest] had to be the mechanical bull.” When asked for suggestions for future Husky Fest events, Webber said with a smile, “As long as you have a beautiful day like today every year, everything is all set.”
According to O’Connor, this year, the Husky Fest cost approximately $10,000. Funding for the festival came from the Office of the Dean of Student Life and their cosponsors. As O’Connor said, “today is the most alive day that USM ever sees.”
Brian Nadeau can be contacted at