A Jam PACKed Festival

Caslee Sims | Correspondent

Despite clouds and even sporadic rain more than 50,000 people gathered on Hillsborough Street for N.C. State’s Packapalooza festival, Saturday.

“The students and alumni know this event better than anyone else; it’s part of being affiliated with N.C. State – it comes with being a part of the Pack, said Maurita Harris, a senior in psychology. “Get involved with everything dealing with State before leaving.”

Packapalooza welcomed a new academic year and gave students a chance to relax, enjoy food, fellowship and fun and at night experience a PACKed concert.

N.C. State student and country music entertainer, Scotty McCreery headlined the festival’s concert, which also featured performances by Grains of Time, Rashad,  and Ladies in Red.

“I’m glad that they brought Packapalooza back during my freshman year,” said Kiarra Hicks, a junior majoring in sports management.

This year, Packapalooza showcased the Art2Wear fashion show, co-directed by Justin LeBlanc, an assistant professor with the N.C. State College of Design.

Festival goers enjoyed a diverse choice of food vendors, student favored freebies, and conversation with representatives of student organizations such as UAB, the Caribbean Student Association, Native American Student Affairs and more.

Packapalooza has become apart of N.C. State’s rich tradition that continues to immerse festival goers.