Students dressed as gorillas, bananas, clowns, Gumby and a penguin were all spotted in Walnut Park on Friday afternoon — a sign of Syracuse University’s annual MayFest celebration.

“MayFest is a coming together of all students,” said Ben Young, a senior biophysical science major who was wearing a clown wig and patchwork sweatshirt from New Orleans. “People come out to see people they don’t usually see.”

Jake Higgins, a sophomore broadcast and digital journalism and information management and technology major, dressed as a gorilla.

“I got this gorilla outfit my junior year of high school and break it out at random events. Everyone always loves it whenever I do,” he said.

Students celebrated MayFest in Walnut from 1-6 p.m., where attendants were provided with free food and music. Students 21 and older were able to drink free beer. The event featured a performance by rapper Earl Sweatshirt.

Many students flocked to the park due to the warm weather and music artists. Department of Public Safety Chief Tony Callisto said Walnut drew 4,000 people by 2 p.m., exceeding the amount of people on Euclid Avenue.

One of those people was TJ Stone, a senior English and textual studies major, who celebrated MayFest in Walnut for the first time. He cited Earl Sweatshirt’s performance as a reason for attending and as his favorite MayFest memory.

“I’ve never been to (Walnut Park’s event) before this, just because I’ve never liked the artist before this year,” Stone said. “This year was the first good artist that they’ve had.”

The event was separated into three areas along Walnut Avenue — one for students older than 21, an area with musical performances and a third area dedicated to food and beverages. The designated drinking area, closest to E.S. Bird Library, filled with people happy to have free beer.

Jad Elsabeh, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, would not let a leg injury prevent him from attending the end-of-the-year celebration.

“Everybody’s out. Not just some people, everyone’s out. I have to be out, it’s my mission,” Elsabeh said from his wheelchair. “Look at how many f*cking people are out here today.”

The bass blasting from the stage took over the park. Most of the students dancing pointed toward the stage and threw their arms over each other’s shoulders, chanting and jumping up and down.

DPS had no trouble maintaining control in Walnut. Chief Callisto said the park was a safe and fun environment for students partying.

John Sardino, DPS associate chief, said on Sunday that there were no arrests or tickets given during Walnut’s celebration.

Keith Kobland, media manager for SU News Services, estimated there had been at least one to three accidental injuries. There was also an estimated two to four students who “had too much to drink” and had to be escorted from the park, he said.

The food area between East Adams and Harrison streets appeared more picnic than party, with students sitting around and eating free, university-provided food. Students packed the area as they lined up for refreshments, with many favoring the chicken kebabs.

“We’ve already eaten everything on the menu, but our favorite was the chicken kebabs,” said Sam Jacobsen, a sophomore sociology major. “We’ve been hanging out at Walnut all day eating them.”

For Skye Osuka, MayFest was a way to forget the stress of finals and look forward to the summer.

“I’m here instead of Euclid Avenue because of the good music,” said Osuka, a freshman nutrition major. “MayFest is a place where people can be themselves. I’ve been doing that by dancing all day.”

Published on April 26, 2013 at 9:44 pm

Contact Natsumi: najisaka@syr.edu