Students joined together to eat a 100-foot-long banana split at the Parade Ground on Aug. 21 as part of an on-campus annual tradition sponsored by Campus Outreach.
According to Matt Duris, a Campus Outreach minister, the event was originally held off-campus, and the banana split was only 30 feet long. For the past three years, the event has been held on campus, and the organization has upgraded to a 100-foot-long banana split.
“We had to reserve 20 gallons of ice cream and 175 bananas last week,” Duris said. “We got five big things of chocolate syrup, caramel and whipped cream. We use 100-foot length rain gutters and we get industrial aluminum foil and line the whole thing. With all the students helping, it’s a lot of fun.”
Student members of Campus Outreach also participated and prepared the banana split. Mechanical engineering senior Ryan Zumo has been part of Campus Outreach for four years.
“This is my second year at the Banana Split and it’s by far one of my favorite things to participate in,” Zumo said. “It’s free ice cream, and ice cream is a serious love language. It’s a lot of fun with different activities and music.”
Students outside of Campus Outreach took part in eating the Banana Split and enjoyed outdoor games.
“I actually never had a banana split before, so it was yummy,” said biology senior Adaoma Ngari. “I enjoyed myself. If I had the opportunity to come to this event again, I definitely would.”
Duris said Campus Outreach hopes to meet a lot of students this year through its events and make a difference on campus.
“I’ve been working with Campus Outreach for a little over two years now,” Duris said. “I was a part of it since my freshman year. It’s been challenging, yet encouraging. It’s rewarding that you get to see lives change.”