The Alumni Field was filled with brew stands and beer tents of all different colors as patrons meandered around the venue, playing yard games and enjoying live music from local band Kid Caravan and a DJ set from CMU’s own Jordan Tamayo, aka DJ Swizz.

Meanwhile, those over 21 also enjoyed a wide variety of seltzers, ciders and beers from a wide variety of brewing companies; many of which were local. These included, but were not limited to, Talbott’s Cider, Palisade Brewing and Peach Street Distillers.

Sponsored by CMU Student Life and Fisher’s Liquor Barn, proceeds from all tickets sold at the event go directly to support over 120 different student clubs and organizations, with patrons being able to select the club that the contribution from their ticket goes to upon purchase, providing valuable funding for student organizations and clubs along with potential sponsor or career connections with patrons for student club leaders and members. With each ticket, guests received either a red wristband to show the vendors for drink samples, along with a sample glass, or an orange wristband as a designated driver ticket, which was also given to patrons under 21.

Student Life also brought out the mechanical bull, and it wasn’t long before brave students (and their parents!) began to line up to try their luck on the bucking beast.

Kid Caravan played live music during these endeavors, with DJ Swizz filling in when they took breaks. Particularly when the mechanical bull caused power issues with the sound setup at the beginning of the event.

Once everything was sorted however, the band was able to play plenty of recognizable songs for the crowd, in addition to several original songs by Kid Caravan, such as “Character Development” and “Snooze the Alarm”, both of which can be found wherever you listen to music.

DJ Swizz, who is currently doing a residency at the Lux Lounge here in Grand Junction, did a set of line dances as the event was beginning to wind down, much to the delight of many students.

This fall’s Great West Beer Fest was a successful night, where students and community came together for an evening filled with laughter, good conversation, music, dance, games and of course, brews. Student Life continued the Parents’ Weekend Festivities into the weekend, with numerous activities for parents to join students in, including a Football Tailgate before Saturday’s big game.