Cosumnes River College’s student clubs gathered together for a Mardi Gras themed event on March 31 to help promote themselves and potentially gain new members.

Jazz-style music and the typical mardi gras decorations helped bring the event together.

Students were dancing and participating in the activities set up such as spinning a wheel for a prize or shooting a Star Wars character with a nerf gun.

“Club Activities fairs are great,” said Nutrition Professor Timaree Hagenburger. “It brings students out and gets them involved in activities.”

One group known as CRC Students for Bernie Sanders gave out candy to whoever answered a question about what they would want to change in the future. A face painting booth was also set up giving students an intricate mask.

“It helps bridge that gap where we can all participate in a theme,” said Yesenia Castellon, who is the student personnel assistant for the Clubs and Events Board.

Although club members were happy about the publicity they were able to gain, some weren’t so happy about the theme. Mardi Gras occurred in early February so some said it didn’t make sense.

“The only stipulation I have is that I wish the theme coincided with the time,” said Nicole Grottkau, a 23-year-old anthropology major.

CRC only has two major club events but members of clubs are finding planning for these events to be lacking. The theme doesn’t necessarily have a huge impact on the event but it does draw attention to students.

Jaime Gonzalez, a 24-year-old environmental studies and sustainability major, said he hoped the event could have been something revolving around political leaders since the event shared the day with Cesar Chavez day.

 Others agreed that the planning side of club fairs needs help.

“I think [the Clubs and Events Board] needs more involvement in the planning stage. They don’t have a lot of people attending meetings,” said Cesar Aguirre, 28-year-old environmental studies and sustainability major.

Despite the issues with the event theme, students agreed that the club events do create unity within the community and gives clubs the opportunity to promote themselves or campaigns they are currently running.

The Students for Bernie Sanders club was promoting an open debate they will be having at the end of the month on April 26 and the Thrive On Plants club was promoting their Your Fork-Our Planet week event this week.