Hundreds of Georgia Southern students, employees and Savannah-area residents attended the annual Celebrate Together event on the Armstrong campus.

Attendance was high at the start of the event, which was heavily promoted around campus in the previous weeks. Many professors canceled classes so students had the opportunity to go to the event.

Celebrate Together is a reconfiguration of an Armstrong tradition that was previously known as Celebrate Armstrong. It was renamed following the school’s consolidation with Georgia Southern.

As the name implies, the event celebrates the Armstrong campus. The broader Savannah community is welcome, and students from Statesboro and Hinesville are encouraged to participate.

“Look at all the people out here enjoying themselves, being a part of the community, taking a break from the seriousness of studying to be together,” said Amee Adkins, a Professor in the College of Education. “That’s what this event is about. I think that’s what this event has always been about for this campus.”

More than 100 booths representing different academic departments, student organizations and local businesses were set up around the Residential Plaza and Student Union. Music provided by DJ Shade filled the atmosphere of the event.

Several booths offered merch, activities, prizes and snacks for those who stopped by. Free hot dogs, beverages and t-shirts were available, as well.

Archery, rock climbing, mechanical bull riding and a dunk booth were set up, all of which have been popular activities in past Celebrate Together events.

Lines and crowds formed around the mechanical bull and dunk booth. Attendees laughed and cheered as participants were thrown off the bull or dunked into the water tank.

The event also serves as a chance for campus clubs and organizations to promote themselves to students who may be interested in joining.

“It seems like students are actually very engaged,” said Kimberly Martin, an assistant professor of political science. “I think there’s probably some students around here that didn’t even know the event was happening, but there’s so much stuff to do, and so many entertaining and great booths that it seems like everybody’s getting involved.”

Many students walked around with smiles on their faces, holding several items collected from various tables.

“There’s a lot of people here and people have been truly engaging with the community,” said senior Naomi Reyes.

“It’s been a hard couple years for Armstrong, but I think it’s letting us know that we’re still here,”said Heather Joesting associate professor of biology. “And we’re still thriving, and we’re still here for the students.”