Curious students check out Sextoberfest

Stephanie Park

Freshman exploratory major Jessica Eisenberg attemps to put a condom on a banana while closing her eyes at the Sextoberfest in Eastway last night. The event was held by K.I.C. to raise awareness about sex.

Credit: Jason Hall

Brad Rossi, freshman philosophy major, participates at the Pop Your Cherry table in Eastway last night. Rossi along with Joe Ehrlinspiel, freshman exploratory major, raced to blow up, tie and pop a ballon in order to win a free condom.

Credit: Jason Hall

‘There’s more than just chocolate at this Candy Shoppe.’

The theme of Kent Interhall Council’s annual Sextoberfest was proven correct by tables featuring “STD/Fetish Pong,” free condoms and vibrators of all shapes and sizes.

Hundreds of students gathered in Eastway’s lower level dining complex last night to attend the event.

Freshman computer animation major Santino Colabianchi was one of many.

“It’s a lot of fun,” he said, pulling out a pocket-full of colorful condoms. “I got a lot (of them).”

Colabianchi’s final condom count was fourteen and included a variety of flavors such as vanilla and strawberry.

Along with distributing condoms, many tables provided instructions on how to use them.

Lake Hall’s hall council featured a table full of bananas, condoms and instructions.

“We’re putting the condom on the banana just for practice,” said Alicia Weaver, president of Lake Hall’s hall council. “We’re having (students) do it with blindfolds on because (condoms) are often used in the dark.”

Pamphlets with detailed information on how to properly use a condom were provided.

Warren Sill, KIC’s director of programming and sophomore exploratory major, said providing information to students is the goal of Sextoberfest.

“The goal (of this program) is to provide a fun but educational program about sex,” he said.

The program’s theme was based on rapper 50 Cent’s single “Candy Shop,” and offered information and photographs about various sexually transmitted diseases, virginity, abstinence and birth control.

Planned Parenthood attended the program and offered information to women about their sexual rights.

“Young women need to know what’s going on with women’s reproductive rights,” Planned Parenthood’s Field Organizer Debbie Kline said.

Kline offered a sign-up sheet for both men and women who are interested in receiving more information about abortion, sex education in schools and emergency contraceptives.

A table offering information on passion parties and sex toys offered a different view on sex.

“We just wanted to do something different,” said Lauryn Papaleo, sophomore Spanish major and member of Prentice Hall’s hall council. “Everybody is showing how you can have safe sex. We want to show you can have fun with yourself.”

Sill said the program seemed more popular this year, even though more than 750 students attended last fall.

“It’s one of the larger programs we do first semester,” he said. “Last year was pretty cool, but this one definitely has more people.”

Senior integrated social studies major Ryan Koch said he has attended every year and always will.

“I love it,” he said, laughing. “It’s fun and sex is awesome.”

Contact room and board reporter Stephanie Park at [email protected].