More than 5,000 people attended Creative Campus’ Yellowhammer festival April 3. Attendees flocked to the Tuscaloosa River Market to promote sustainability, arts, music and give residents a chance to enjoy different vendors and activities.
Along with Creative Campus and the River Market, SGA and University Programs helped to host the event. Five different bands, including headliner Sister Hazel, played and popular food chains like Jim ‘N Nicks and Steel City Pops attended the free event.
Tiana Raimist-Carter, a sophomore majoring in public relations and music management and one of the co-communicators of Yellowhammer said the idea was to create a “creative space.”
“We wanted to expose students to local music, businesses, vendors and give them an opportunity to celebrate their town,” Raimist-Carter said.
Hannah MacInnis, a senior majoring in public relations and also a co-communicator, said one of the most popular attractions was Rock the Bike, a multi-bike powered concert system designed to give attendees a chance to power the stages music groups performed on.
“We had a lot of really good feedback,” MacInnis said. “We kept to the sustainability theme. It was for a better cause.”
Another popular attraction was the Flux tent, where people could try out experimental instruments and listen to music they’ve never heard before.
Veyonté Bynun, a junior majoring in marketing and a Creative Campus intern said the Flux tent was his favorite part of the event.
“People loved it,” Bynun said. “It was accessible and easy. It was one of the favorite events for everyone.”
Many volunteers at the event weren’t interns at Creative Campus. Ian McDaniel, a junior majoring in advertising said he volunteered because he enjoyed being around the Creative Campus interns.
“It was awesome that it was at the River Market and it wasn’t just a college thing. It was a community thing and that was the best part,” McDaniel said.
Raimist-Carter said she enjoyed seeing people getting out of their comfort zone, and enjoying themselves as a result.
“We heard nothing but positivity,” Raimist-Carter said. “I had people tell me they were coming back next year, and that Tuscaloosa needs more events like this.”
Bynun said the event was family-friendly and that all the vendors were for everyone regardless of age.
“People loved the vibe and theme. It was an interesting mix,” Bynun said. “There was a huge dynamic of people.”
