By Haley Costen
Staff Writer

There were raffles, food, and free stuff galore at the Colleges of the Fenway Block Party Friday.
Hundreds of students circulated the Wentworth Institute of Technology’s parking lot on the corner of Ruggles Street and Huntington Avenue, snacking on free fried dough and chicken tenders, spinning wheels for prizes like art supplies from Blick and tickets to Canobie Lake Park’s Screamfest, while music presented by JAMN 94.5 and KISS 108 pumped through speakers.
Meanwhile, clubs like the Colleges of the Fenway rugby team and Simmons’ Campus Activities Board (CAB) had tables and were meeting with students.
“It’s a great way to connect with students from other colleges,” CAB President Tiffany Pierce said as she took a break from collecting raffle tickets for VIP passes to GrooveBoston. “It’s been a good day.”
Local business also had tables and were giving away coupons and gear, and hosting raffles. The Smoothie King gave out coupons and gave students the option of taking pictures with a giant banana mascot in order to win a free massage. Meanwhile Zinga! Frozen Yogurt gave out colorful leis and displayed flyers. Students received free bags, coupon books, and T-shirts from the Longwood Galleria.
MassArt student Skye Delviscio said her favorite table was the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s. The museum gave out free postcards and posters, and presented a raffle for a giftcard to its Café G. Representatives from the museum also told students about its Third Thursday events, during which free music and artist spotlights occur on the third Thursday of every month.
“It’s a lot of work,” Delviscio said about circulating through lines to all the tables, “but it’s pretty good.”
The block party also featured a table where students crowded around a television playing Super Smash Brothers, and a white car presented by Blick and Scion that students painted. Meanwhile, a cardinal mascot challenged students to dance-offs at the radio station table while other students guessed the names of songs for prizes like a tablet and CDs.
Tia Miller, Assistant Director of the Office of Student Leadership and Activities (OSLA), was present at the event, giving Simmons students with valid ID a wristband that allowed them to get free food and drinks. She said she believed the block party went well.
“We’ve seen a huge increase [in the number of students] in the last three years,” Miller said.
“It’s great,” Emmanuel student Keith Baillageron said.
The event offered ample opportunity for students to get involved with the Colleges of the Fenway, meet other students, win prizes, and eat food.
The block party ran from 5-7 p.m. and was followed by an after party at the Pozen Center at MassArt.