Pumpkins and A Capella: A Fall Duo at JMU

Pumpkin painting and A Capella performances aren’t a pairing you see every day, but for the University Program Board (UPB), this unlikely mixture was a collaborative, creative and festive event they were ready to pull off. “This event was super fun to plan and was a great way to collaborate with other University Program Board members,” said Kylee Wiggins, the UPB Amplify Committee Director. “I would not want to unload one hundred pumpkins out of the back of my car with anyone else!”

Students came to the Festival Patio where pumpkins and towels were lying in the grass. Despite the harsh October winds, people painted their pumpkins and enjoyed cider and cookies between performances. “The Bluestones, The Madison Project and Note-oriety brought a different light to the whole event,” said Wiggins. “The A Capella groups were so lively, fun and energetic and definitely brightened the cool fall day.”

Caroline Mork, a Senior Media Arts and Design major and a member of Note-oriety said, “We enjoy any time we can get together, support the other groups and hear their music. The support of JMU students is just so wonderful.” Mork and the A Capella groups joined the festivities after their performances and painted pumpkins as well, decorating them with the symbols and colors of their groups.

Overall, the quirky event brought students together to listen to good music, show off their artistic skills and have a relaxing fall day. Those who enjoyed this event will be happy to hear that Wiggins hopes to make this “something to be treated as a tradition for the future!”