International Club Hosts Holi Festival
By Alicia Method, Staff Writer
Students enjoy Holi on Stine Lake (Photo Credit Salmin Mwinjuma/The Gettysburgian).
During Gettysburg College’s first Springfest since the COVID-19 pandemic, students celebrated the Holi festival on Stine Lake. Students gathered on Saturday afternoon to eat food, dance, and enjoy the sun.
Holi is a traditional Hindu festival also known as “The Festival of Spring” or “The Festival of Colors.” The festival originated in India and celebrates the victory of good over evil. While the celebration normally lasts a whole day and night, Gettysburg’s version occurred for a little under two hours, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The International Club sponsored the event.
Participants played corn hole, ate various foods, danced to music, played with water guns, and slid down the water slide provided during the event. The main event, however, occurred when students threw colorful chalk at each other.
The origin of the color throwing comes from the belief that colored powders will alleviate spring colds and illnesses. While students did not throw colors for this particular reason, the high energy of the event was evident.
Maggie Halpin ‘22 attended the Holi event. She said, “This was so fun, I enjoyed getting to celebrate and see friends.”
The Holi festival served as a bright addition to Gettysburg College’s 2022 Springfest.
