Cornucopia Fest promotes agriculture and wellness

The clouds made way for blue skies on Sunday for the 15th annual Cornucopia Fest. Families, students and community members gathered for the festival, which was put on by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This year, a new event called the Cornucopia Challenge was introduced. The challenge included a card that had 30 different questions and games for visitors to perform in order to be entered into the drawing for prizes like Homecoming football tickets and a wool blanket made from UConn sheep's wool.

"The goal of the Cornucopia Fest was to promote agriculture, wellness and nutrition," said Amanda Dornburgh, a 7th-semester nutritional science major. "It is on Family Weekend too, so it is trying to get families together."

This year, Dornburgh was working the hayride, one of the most popular events at Cornucopia Fest. The ride had four wagons circling Horsebarn Hill and included a tour of the various agricultural buildings and homes of the multitude of animals on campus.

"I like it because I get to interact more with people and kids," Dornburgh said. "And it's a different way to get involved."

Another of the popular events was the horticultural show inside the Radcliffe Arena. This year's theme was "Alice in Wonderland," complete with a tea party and a croquet set. The workers maintained a sense of humor, warning potential players to not ask the Cheshire cat for tips.

Other activities included tree cookies, fly-casting and putting on turf. Liz Shapiro, a 3rd-semester music education major, tried her hand at sawing by making a tree cookie.

"I tried it because it was different and I have never done it," Shapiro said. She was brought over to Cornucopia Fest because she lives on the north side of campus and always passes by the sign, she said.

Some students were returning visitors of the fest. Scott McColl, a 5th-semester music education major, came back to enjoy "some of the chicken barbeque, as well as going on the hay ride and the guided hike through UConn's forest."

Caely Flynn, a 7th-semester anthropology and women's studies major, has been to the fest several times and loves the atmosphere.

"I think all of the tables and events are really interesting and educational for everyone," Flynn said. "It is a great way to build community and it's fun."

Most newcomers were excited about petting the animals. Michelle Spina, a 3rd-semester psychology major, was not aware that animals would be present.

"I did not know they had animals, but now I am really excited," Spina said.

At the festival, pairs of cows, sheep, horses and chickens were open to the public to pet or take pictures with.

There was also a Dairy Bar tour, polo match, auction and a tour of the newly installed green roof. Many students, like Kristen Liguore, a 7th-semester allied health major, were glad to have finally made it to Cornucopia Fest before the end of their UConn career. "It is my first time coming to the Cornucopia Fest," Liguore said. "It is so lovely outside and it's a great family activity. And I am really happy I finally made it to Cornucopia Fest before I graduated."