On Saturday, Oct. 5, the annual Fall Festival took place on the Clinton Village Green. The event took place between 12 and 4 PM. Many members of the Clinton community joined Hamilton College students at the event, which featured a variety of fall activities.

Hamilton Student Assembly’s (SA) Social Traditions Committee collaborated with the Clinton Chamber of Commerce to host the event.

Various student-led organizations and local businesses participated in the festivities, encouraging visitors to play games, eat seasonal foods, and visit local shops.

Fall Fest activities included SA’s corn hole, “giant” Connect Four, and a pumpkin-painting stand hosted by members of the Black and Latinx Student Union (BLSU).

The a cappella groups Tumbling After and the Hamiltone’s performed under the Gazebo for the community and students. Food from The Cider Mill and Northstar Orchards, including apple cider, donuts, chili, cookies, and chowder, was available.

President of the Class of 2020 Nadav Konforty ’20 spoke positively about the ways in which Fall Fest helps the Clinton community and Hamilton students bond, saying the event “provides an opportunity for students to explore Clinton in a more structured way, like the Off the Hill Challenge, to facilitate those connections.

Konforty added that having the event “in the center of Clinton brings in students as well as families with activities, food, and music, all of which are great for community bonding.”

The Off the Hill Challenge Konforty references is a Fall Fest tradition developed by SA, wherein students are tasked to visit 12 local businesses in Clinton and collect stamps to show that they went to each location. This gives them the opportunity to interact with local business owners and sample the products of each store.

A free shirt was awarded to the first 100 students who completed the Challenge; everyone who completed the Challenge was also entered into a raffle for a $100 gift card to shops in town.

“While community involvement isn’t its own pillar in Hamilton’s educational goals and curriculum, it is certainly in the spirit of Hamilton to foster community,” Konforty said. “Hamilton is our home, and community involvement is a part of strengthening the foundations of our community.

“Community involvement is central to any liberal arts institution that values community, and Hamilton is a shining example of that.”

Olivia Wenzel ’21, member of the all-female identifying a cappella group Tumbling After, said she believes Fall Fest has a positive effect on the Hamilton community.

“I think that sometimes Hamilton can be kind of a bubble, and Fall Fest gives students a chance to explore some of the things they can do off-campus,” she said. “I do think that community involvement is important to Hamilton’s liberal arts goals, and I think it is important for us to be not just Hamilton students, but to interact in a positive way with whatever community we are a part of.”

According to Wenzel, Tumbling After is able to engage with a new audience through the experience of performing in Clinton.

“Many of the people who were watching us perform were members of the Clinton community, which is not something that can usually be said for our concerts,” she said. “I think it’s a really unique opportunity not only for us to be able to share what we love with people outside Hamilton, but also for the Clinton community to see some of what Hamilton students do.”

The 12 businesses participating in the day’s events were Giovanni’s Pizzeria, Clinton Florist, Artisans’ Corner, Dawn Marie’s Treasures, The Cremeria, Lost Hi-Way Books & Records, Tom’s Natural Foods, Utica Coffee Roasters, Rose Petal Gifts, The Village Crossing, Almost Local, Krizia Martin Apparel Giftware, and Soul Bowl.

Overall, Konforty says the event was a success and enjoyed seeing Hamilton students interact with the Clinton community.

“I believe students find the food to be one of the best parts, or that could just be my own personal preference. I do also love hearing the a cappella groups perform,” he said.

Still, Konforty emphasized that “one of the most enjoyable aspects of Fall Fest for students is likely going into stores that they may not otherwise frequent and exploring the community that is so nearby.”