“In my mind, I thought Frontier Fiesta was like a mini rodeo,” said kinesiology and music performance junior Kyle Rivera. “I still don’t really know what it is. I feel like it would help if the people who are in frats [and] are going to be there anyways would come and talk to people about Frontier Fiesta.” | Emily Lincke/ The Cougar
“I think Frontier Fiesta needs more publicity, because I didn’t really know what it was,” said music education senior René Rodriguez. “Some friends I know thought you have to pay money for it, so get better publicity and put posters up or get someone to come talk about it. Delivering a message face-to-face is much better.” | Emily Lincke/ The Cougar
“I’m in a fraternity so I have people, and I go to my tent, and I’m able to still enjoy that, but I feel like students who aren’t a part of Greek or part of an organization they just miss out on a lot,” said business and biology sophomore Dion Birhiray. “Participation is low, honestly. We have like 55,000 students here, and out of that I want to say only 5,000 show up to Fiesta. I have fun, totally. It’s definitely a good experience for me, probably one of the best experiences, besides spring break, which was pretty lit last week.” | Emily Lincke/ The Cougar
“I’ve heard that it’s mainly for sororities and fraternities, so I’ve really never felt like I was invited to go there, and it’s more of a party scene,” said political science senior Auruba Al-Zibdeh. “I know they do it to raise money, so it’d be cool if they advertised that, because I don’t think a lot of students know the purpose of it. So why should they attend it?” | Emily Lincke/ The Cougar
“My favorite moment at Frontier Fiesta, to be honest, was the free food,” said mechanical engineering freshman Jerome Roy. “The gambling part, I wouldn’t get caught gambling, but that was pretty fun too.” | Emily Lincke/ The Cougar
“A few years back, I believe it was 2015, I went to Frontier Fiesta and I experienced ScHoolboy Q performing that night, and it was pretty amazing actually,” said alum Casto Reyes. “I listened to his music prior to the event and I got to say I was not disappointed.” | Emily Lincke/ The Cougar
“I remember when we had the B.O.B concert, that was actually my first Frontier Fiesta and I really enjoyed it,” said petroleum engineering junior Tchemongo Berte. “I was with some friends and we just walked around until the concert started. I think it is a great celebration, and it is great to have something to do.” | Emily Lincke/ The Cougar
Unlike some of UH’s other traditions created in recent years, Frontier Fiesta nearly dates back to the University’s founding.
Founded in 1939, Frontier Fiesta attracted up to 200,000 visitors a year and was profiled in Life Magazine as “The Greatest College Show on Earth.”
At its peak in the 1950s, Fiesta was so widely anticipated and so many students participated that the University cancelled classes the week before in preparation.
This year’s Fiesta included a concert from rapper D.R.A.M., a five kilometer walk held by the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation to help bone marrow patients, and carnival rides and food trucks.
The Cougar asked students their thoughts on Fiesta, the tradition and how participation in Fiesta reflects on the campus community.
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