Adrian Kulesza, Senior Photographer

In the thick of midterms, Sillimanders found time to sit back, relax and enjoy the fall at a Fall Harvest Festival this week. 

Silliman College welcomed students from all 14 of Yale’s residential colleges with a variety of booths and activities. Food offerings included candy apples, corn dogs and pumpkin cupcakes, while the Acorn, Silliman’s student-run coffee shop, served beverages. Other activities included pumpkin painting, giant jenga, music and other yard games. 

“It was exactly the vibe we hoped for, students hanging out on a warm fall afternoon, listening to music and eating and drinking well,” Silliman’s operations manager Sergio Gonzalez wrote. 

The event was planned and organized by Silliman’s Head of College Office in conjunction with Yale Hospitality. Gonzalez noted that the planning of the event was a large team effort. 

“[Planning an event like this is] sort of like putting on a production; in the end, lights, camera, action!” Gonzalez wrote in an email to the News. “From the set, to the props, to the supporting cast, everyone plays a part in making the show come alive.”

Deanna Brunson, Silliman’s senior administrative assistant, added that because of the large team effort, the group was able to put the event together relatively quickly and the actual set-up only took two days. 

According to Gonzalez, much of the decoration for the event was made in house by Silliman students — colloquially named “Sillimanders” — and members of the Silliman HOC Office. 

“Our events typically run way cheaper than you would imagine, and that is a product of the talent in our team,” Gonzalez wrote. “We make things in house, we staff things ourselves, we set up, break down, we even built the huts we used to serve our delicious food and beverage out of.”

Brunson noted that the most rewarding part of putting together the Harvest Festival was seeing students come together and enjoy each other’s company, even in the thick of midterms. 

Throughout the courtyard on both days of the event, students could be seen lounging with friends on picnic blankets, chatting by food booths and playing games. 

Jack Cloherty ’26 told the News that it was an especially nice de-stresser after his midterms, and although he is not in Silliman College, he thoroughly enjoyed the event. 

“I’ve been feeling pretty beat down by midterms, [and] it’s been a long couple of weeks with a lot of work,” Cloherty said. “I came to the Fall Festival looking to unwind, and it was exactly what I needed.” 

Dominic Gearing ’26 — who is in Silliman — remarked that it was rewarding getting to be a part of both sides of the event given that he helped work at one of the many booths, yet also took part as a patron in the event’s proceedings.

Gearing noted that as an employee at the Acorn, he helped develop the beverages served at the festival and was excited when they were met with overwhelmingly positive responses.

“It’s overall been a great experience,” Gearing said. “As a barista, I helped with our booth here giving out hot chocolate and coffee.”

Gearing added that participating behind the scenes was a great way to get to know other members of the larger Yale community. 

“I got to meet a lot of the [Yale] Hospitality staff, and as usual, they are fantastic people,” Gearing said. “It was really nice to work with them and get to know a lot of them better.”

The Festival took place in Silliman College’s courtyard on Oct. 10 and 11. Silliman College will be hosting a Winter Festival later this semester.