What you should know

After being rescheduled due to inclement weather, the UHCL Board Game Association’s (BGA) Carnival Night will be taking place his upcoming Saturday, May 16, from 4-10 p.m. in the UHCL Alumni Plaza, between the Bayou and SSCB buildings. 

The event is still free-to-attend and open to the public, with the goal of helping fundraise for newer student organizations as well as local small businesses.

We spoke with Sunny Rodriguez, BGA President, who let us know some of the struggles and fortunate gains from the unprompted thunderstorms.

What happened?

It all began on the original week Carnival Night was scheduled for. 

Several strong storms were produced by the atmospheric conditions an unexpected cold front brought to Houston area. Due to these turbulent conditions, various locations in the area were put on weather watch, and two days before the event was set to take place, the BGA asked their vendors for input on whether to push on or postpone.

Most of the original businesses and vendors backed out or recommended doing so. Rodriguez also recalls contacting the National Weather Service for their insight.

Ultimately, the decision was made to postpone Carnival Night and move it to a new date. 

Close to a month later, Carnival Night was strategically set after finals week and graduation. This was done to not compete with either of the big events and provide the most time and opportunity for students and community members to attend. 

But behind the scenes, the BGA found that some businesses and vendors were either unable or unwilling to participate any longer. Rodriguez did suggest that since most of the parties no longer participating were small local businesses, they could be attending other previously scheduled events.

As BGA President, he understands the obstacles scheduling something of this scale brings, and so chose to look at the changes in a more positive light, managing to secure even more vendors with a greater variety than originally planned. 

With that being said, here’s a sneak peak over just a little of all that’s to be expected this Saturday:

Drinks & Food

CANA Tea & Coffee was previously set to sell drinks for the event but was forced to back out due to prior scheduling conflicts. Fortunately, the BGA was able to secure Brewphoria Coffee & Drinkery to provide drinks and pastries. This includes coffee, matcha, and boba.

Keeping up in carnival fashion, there will of course also be plenty of popcorn and soda! 

Music

All Houston locals, our Campus (and soon-to-be World) famous AJY, the up-and coming Asterium Band (recently played at Galveston’s Mardi Grass), and BGA’s very own Barbie, Gareth, and Megan (the Martinez Family), will be performing live music throughout the evening.

Entertainment

Present at the event will be a dunk tank and an opportunity for those in attendance smash whipped cream pies on participating UHCL faculty. There will also be an obstacle course, bounce house, and two inflatable games set up for attendees. 

UHCL’s Digital Art and Illustrations Organization (DAIO) will be offering caricature drawings, while the Art Association will be doing henna tattoos and face painting.  

Rodriguez says that there will be around 12 student organizations in attendance.

Vendors

Keep in mind that prices of the items on offer may vary between each stall, as vendors will not be taking tickets.

Taking things day-by-day

Although there are some who are worried of another weather-related conflict, the BGA already has a rainy day back-up plan and is closely monitoring the weather. 

Ultimately, the main goal of the BGA is to help other UHCL student organizations with their funding, build a greater sense of community, and to help local businesses trying to navigate this economically challenging time. 

To keep up with the Board Game Association, you can visit their Instagram.