by Sadie Shields
Walking into the normally routine dining hall felt like something out of a fall postcard. Warm lights, decorated tables and the sweet aroma of pumpkin spice welcomed guests as KRFH DJs filled the space with upbeat music.
The “spiceful” event — one of only two major programs Humboldt Dining has organized this fall — brought together students, staff and friends for an afternoon rich with seasonal flavor and campus spirit. Student organizations set up tables to share information, promote their own upcoming events and answer questions, turning dinner into an opportunity for involvement and connection.
Attendees got hands-on with autumn-inspired crafts, where they created their own pumpkin-spice blends and tea bags to pair with their J-ordered meals. For many, it was a chance not only to grab food, but to slow down, socialize and enjoy the shift into the colder months. A pumpkin carving contest also brought an element of competition to the mix, with students casting votes for the most creative gourd on display.
The event came as a complete surprise in the best way. Hannah Callahan, a junior sociology major, described the excitement of unexpectedly stumbling into the seasonal celebration.
“I just walked into the J, and I didn’t know what was going on,” Callahan said. “I think that would be kind of cool to walk in [on] like a regular day you normally would, and then all of a sudden, there’s the big event.”
Despite the surprise factor, crowds quickly grew as word spread, and the J was quickly filled to almost full capacity. Humboldt Dining staff and volunteers worked steadily to support the crowd; they offered supplies, answered questions and helped guests navigate activities.
In a semester filled with assignments, storms and fast-approaching finals, the event provided a welcome opportunity to come together and celebrate the season.
Sadie is a junior communications major, journalism minor at Cal Poly Humboldt who has an interest in covering and taking photos for sports and wildlife journalism, and a slight interest in breaking news. She can be reached at sls331@humboldt.edu.
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