A mechanical bull on campus drew a crowd for Northern Michigan University’s first big event of the year.

The PEIF hosted a late night event from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. beginning Friday, Aug. 22 at the PEIF.  It was the 22nd annual event hosted on-campus to start off the school year with activities, food and mingling. The event featured open skate at the Berry Events Center, open gym, free pizza and even a mechanical bull.

Freshmen nursing majors Alex Lovedale and Maddie Oberg said the event gave them a chance to walk around and take it all in.

“I was excited to come,” Lovedale said. “I was excited that a college had something for us to do.”

Students of all grade levels attended the event with the opportunity to get to know other students on campus.

Several members of the PEIF staff said this year, the planning team worked to space out the activities, making use of all the gyms in the PEIF and the rink in the Berry Events Center.

Junior social work major Mackenzie Magel said this is her third year working the event, and it’s been a lot crazier than the recent years.

“I think it’s because the placement of everything,” Magel said. “Everything you [used to] see [was] placed in the back and now this year it’s in the front, so I think there’s a lot more action.”

Freshman undeclared major Ethan Barrow said he heard about the event at orientation, and then found his way over with his RA and other members of his hall.

Senior accounting major Joe Brasier worked as event staff for the night. Brasier said this year was very well organized.

“I’ve had my eye on the mechanical bull,” Brasier said. “But we aren’t allowed to because we are working.”

President Erickson was even spotted at the PEIF, stopping by to check out the event.