Washburn students and College Hill locals gathered together for the first Big Patio Social, hosted by Forge and Washburn University, 6 p.m. Aug. 25 at The Burger Stand. 

“We wanted to be part of an event that brought College Hill together,” said Danielle Dempsey-Swopes, director of University Diversity and Inclusion. “There is a lot of diversity here and great businesses in town. We just want visitors to be close and have a good time today.”

Local vendors, artists and student organizations set up booths to advertise their business, sell their work or engage with their community respectively for the duration of the event. Popular booths included Café Barnabas selling their new Nitro Chai and various bubble teas, Hazel Hill with their gourmet chocolates and baked goods and a free face-painting booth.

Local artists included Tina Brackman, a ceramicist specializing in earthenware, and Nathan Biester, a mixed media artist showcasing an array of artwork ranging from canvas pop art done to coffee mugs.

A video game truck was parked across the street where people were able to play classic arcade games such as “Dance Dance Revolution” and “Mortal Kombat.”

Tying together the food, drinks, shopping and video games was music courtesy of DJ Arkutec and DJ Unii from Create/Uplift, a multimedia company.

The event served as a good way to get new and returning students out in their community to have fun with one another. 

“I would come again next year,” said Marine Suzuki, senior biochemistry major.