On April 30, the Residence Hall Association and the Residence Hall Council threw “Life is a Beach” for the 2011 Pinon Palloozza. After a year of fundraising, two months of planning, and waking up at 8 a.m. on a Saturday, the celebration was ready to go with four inflatable games, 10 local vendors and nine attractions.
“We’re lucky to have RAs and RHC members here to help us set up and put on the celebration,” RHA Vice President Sierra Schwartz said.
KMSA provided the music for the afternoon, holding impromptu dance-off competitions with music ranging from Taylor Swift to Lady Gaga.
“Texas Roadhouse is here,” RHC member David Siemens said, “And they have rolls. Rolls with butter, and they’re free!”
Other vendors included Gelato Junction, who sold their new beer-flavored gelato, and “The Painted Lady” who did glitter and airbrush tattoos.
To go along with the “Life is a Beach” theme, a sand castle competition was held. Students created colorful sand stars and castles, and had their picture taken in front of a beach scene by MSC’s Public Relations Club.
Free tropical snacks including snow cones and popcorn were also available.
From 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Mesa State students participated in games including inflatable Twister and jousting. From each game, students received a raffle ticket that they could put towards winning an iPad, a flat screen TV, a Blueray player and an iPod nano. Pinon Palloozza was funded through RHA fundraising efforts along with student fees from students living in the residence halls.
At 8 p.m. Las Vegas band “Play for Keeps” returned to MSC after their well-received performance last year. Students were given glowsticks to light up the night. At the concert, the winner of a mystery prize, valued at over $600, was announced. The winner received a weekend trip for two with the Outdoor Program, a year’s subscription with Netflix, a $200 gift certificate to the Mesa State Bookstore, $150 in MAVmoney and a $50 gift certificate to Jazzman’s.
Despite starting out the morning with a thin layer of snow from the night before, RHA and RHC continued the celebration and were awarded with a sunny day full of activities. The Palloozza has been a Mesa State tradition for over a decade, and isn’t likely to end anytime soon, even with the name change.

cmfoster@mesastate.edu