The Cultural Inclusion Council, as part of their Unity Fest, held the Color Festival Friday, April 5. Named because of the powder thrown in the air to celebrate the Festival, the event had various activities for students to enjoy, as a celebration of inclusion and what inclusion really means.

An obstacle course courtesy of Banana’s, consisting of a race through a short inflatable course, provided plenty of close races between friends, a few skinned knees for those that went too fast, and a slide to the finish.

Sumo wrestling was also present, where two students could put on massive suits and duke it out. Once knocked over, you’re basically a turtle flipped over, unable to get back on your feet.

An inflatable fight ring proved too much for the balance of whoever entered it, as most everybody ended up flung out of the middle section by whoever opposed them.

There was also a mechanical bull that you could ride, which many didn’t fare much better on either. Although from the outside the bull was moving slowly, looks proved to deceive and being flung off after a slight increase in speed from the operator was a common sight.

The Color Throw came later. Students and participants could grab colored powder and throw it in the air to create a photogenic moment, but a lot of times it was used more like a deadly weapon, friends coating each other in clouds of colored powder.

Amberlena Martinez was no exception. Having studied at Colorado Mesa University a few years ago, Martinez and her four kids all attended the festival and asked for a few photos of them covered in color.

“We’re just supporting CMU because I came here for business management back in 2012. I wanted to give back to Mesa with my kids,” Martinez said.

Wrapping up after a few hours, the Color Festival left behind many stained white shirts and many smiling faces coated in color.