Photo by Mary-Grace Byers
Grace Murphy
Staff Writer
Students and local families crowded the Piazza dei Santi Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. to eat free food of the Wisconsin specialty, including brats, cheese curds and frozen custard.
The event had a large attendance, with the line for food stretching from the entrance of Sts. Louis and Elizabeth Halls across the piazza to the entrance of St. Thomas More Hall for most of the event.
Wisconsin Fest featured various culinary delicacies from Wisconsin. Brats with sauerkraut were served along with squeaky Wisconsin deep-fried cheese curds.
For beverages, there was a table specifically for milk, with various kinds of soda and water also available.
Many of the students in attendance showed Wisconsin spirit by wearing Wisconsin apparel, including merchandise from Wisconsin sports teams and cow-themed outfits. One student even wore a Wisconsin state flag around his shoulders like a cape.
Music played on the loud speakers and yard games were set up in the piazza, including cornhole, a staple of Midwest grill-outs.
Many students said the weather matched the Wisconsin theme with temperatures in the 50s and a chilly fall breeze.
Senior Jonathan Meinholz, a Wisconsin native and senator of Franciscan University Student Government, originally came up with the idea for Wisconsin Fest.
Meinholz said, “I thought it would be a great opportunity to share some of the great foods that make up Wisconsin culture with students, especially during this hectic middle of (the) semester.”
Meinholz said Student Government and Exc!te bought about 100 pints of custard from Culvers, a classic Wisconsin fast food restaurant. The nearest Culvers is a little under two hours away from Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Freshman Lucy Gutierrez said, “I love Wisconsin custard and cheese. It was a great time for everyone.”
Wisconsin Fest was sponsored by Student Government and Exc!te, a campus organization that plans social events.