Thurtene Carnival, the student-organized festival at WashU, is making its comeback on campus this weekend featuring exciting new attractions, performances, and an array of updated safety protocols.

The revised regulations encompass:

• No bags allowed
• Minors must be accompanied by an adult
• Presenting a student ID is mandatory for WashU students

Thurtene President Ginger Schulte remarked that the new guidelines aim to provide an enjoyable, secure carnival experience for everyone. Last year, the final day of the event was canceled following a series of altercations among groups of younger participants.

“This year’s Thurtene promises to be fantastic with an abundance of delicious food, thrilling rides, and entertainment,” Schulte noted. “We are thrilled to welcome families from St. Louis back to WashU.”

The carnival will take place from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, April 4, and from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6, near Francis Olympic Field. Attendees may enter the event via Wallace Drive and exit on Forsyth Boulevard.

Established over a century ago, Thurtene is organized by the 13 members of the Thurtene junior honorary and has become a cherished tradition at WashU.

This year features an exciting turkey leg eating contest organized by the fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon and sorority Chi Omega at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, on the Dr. G’s Fun House main stage. Participants will compete to consume a turkey leg as rapidly as possible.

For those who prefer to savor their smoked poultry at a more leisurely pace, turkey legs will be available for purchase at the booth adorned with dinosaurs and a smoking volcano. The legs are being prepared by Smokey D’s, a well-regarded caterer known for its barbecue.

“I hail from Texas, and whenever I attended the state fair, I would always seek out the turkey legs. You can catch a whiff of them from quite a distance. So, I wanted to bring that experience here,” shared Grady Freeman, a member of both TKE and Thurtene.

A new student booth will feature Asian cuisine, art, and sports. The Taiwanese Student Organization, Hong Kong Student Association, Japanese Student Organization, and Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association will offer matcha lattes, which are trending on TikTok, alongside homemade Japanese taiyakis—fish-shaped treats stuffed with sweet red bean paste or Nutella. Caricature artists will render carnival attendees in the iconic style of Studio Ghibli. Additionally, participants can learn to play shuttlecock, a traditional Chinese game involving players who use their feet to keep a feathered, weighted disc aloft.

“It’s similar to Hacky sack,” explained junior Richard Yang, co-president of the Taiwanese Student Organization and a shuttlecock expert. “It’s surprisingly addictive. Once you grasp it, you won’t want to stop.”

Other notable attractions include a thrift shop from Strike Magazine, a sparring pit from Belegarth Medieval Combat Society, and a football throw presented by the Black Men’s Coalition. Various student organizations will be serving a delightful range of treats from deep-fried delicacies (fried Oreos, funnel cakes, beignets) to international favorites (egg tarts, street tacos, Italian ice), alongside traditional fair foods (burgers, cotton candy, pickles). Student performers will encompass the Bear Nation Varsity Band, WU Sauce salsa dance team, Kendo martial arts club, and vocal groups such as the Evergreens, Staam, the Aristocats, and More Fools than Wise.

“It’s truly the student organizations that make Thurtene a distinctive experience,” Freeman expressed. “Thurtene offers all the thrilling rides and games you would expect at a carnival, while also allowing you to try traditional Japanese street food, watch a cappella performances, and connect with WashU students.”

This year’s community partner is the Little Bit Foundation, which provides crucial services and educational opportunities to underserved students ranging from preschool to high school.

For a map and a comprehensive list of performers and safety protocols, visit the Thurtene website. For alerts regarding inclement weather, check the Thurtene website or their Instagram page.

The article Thurtene Carnival returns to WashU originally appeared on The Source.