Washington University hosted this year’s edition of Thurtene Carnival from April 17 through April 19. The event is billed as America’s oldest and largest student-run carnival.
Founded in 1908, Thurtene Carnival is run by a student-led team overseen by 13 undergraduates. All of the carnival’s net proceeds are donated to an organization chosen by the carnival’s organizer. This year’s beneficiary was St. Louis Arc, a non-profit supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
The carnival kicked off on the north side of Forsyth Boulevard near Francis Field following a weather-delayed late start and closed on Friday at 8:00 p.m. Festivities ran from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with a Saturday evening session reserved for Washington University and a Sunday evening session for the WashU and St. Louis Arc communities.
The fairground featured two sets of rides for younger and older participants. The midway included a wide range of games as well as an impressive array of food stalls hosted by non-profit entities, fraternities and sororities, clubs and campus food vendors.
The wide variety of food was delightful and included esquites (Mexican corn salad), coquito (a Puerto Rican coconut milk and spice drink), tang hulu (Chinese skewered fruit dipped in hardened sugar) and mango sticky rice alongside classic carnival staples like slushies, popcorn, corn dogs, and cotton candy.
The Dr. G Main Stage featured live performances by a cappella ensembles, dance troupes and bands.
Organizers took a cautious approach to crowd safety this year. Entry was consolidated to a single main entrance and IDs were required. Magnetic wands were on hand for screening and bags were not permitted inside the grounds, though strollers were permitted in a nod to the carnival’s family-friendly nature.
