Despite a dripping, drizzling Saturday afternoon, the Black Student Union’s first Chill Fest Block Party was considered successful by the soggy crowd in attendance.

“Let it all loose,” was how Michael Bonds, president of the Brothers Organization, described the Chill Fest.

BSU’s Vice President Demetricus Carlvin, said the purpose of the event was to welcome all students, especially minorities.

Carlvin said the event was an “icebreaker” to let incoming students know about the BSU and the various programs sponsored through the Center for Black Studies.

At the festival’s busiest point, a crowd of about 100 Chill Festers escaped the rain underneath a canopy of trees and umbrellas next to the Center for Black Studies on Locust Street.

The block party was held on Locust Street between the Center for Black Studies and the Wesley Foundation.

“We were expecting between 100 and 200 people. This is the first time we did this, and publicity wasn’t the best, but we got a nice turnout,” said BSU President Chris O’Banner.

Chill Fest is expected to become an annual event held on the Saturday before the start of the fall semester.

Some of the organizations present at the event were the Brothers Organization, the Black Student Union, the Black Interhall Council, the Sisters Organization and the Legal and Medical Opportunity Programs.

African market vendors from Chicago sold authentic African items at the event. The vendors sold hand-made crafts, clothes, art-prints and various books.

Bonds sported a kufii, which resembled a beret with a black, green and red emblem showing the colors of the Afro-American symbol. He also wore an African-made wallet around his neck.

The block party also consisted of music and a barbecue of hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken. “Step shows” were performed by a few black greek organizations.

“I think everbody is having fun … eating, dancing, talking and socializing,” said sophomore computer science major Anita McNulty. “It’s a good way for everyone to come out and get together and meet each other,” she said.

“We weren’t really sure there would be such an outcome, but actually, it turned out to be pretty nice,” said Tammy Hayot, a Junior computer science major.

Both women said they would become involved with the BSU in the future. “I think it’s a good organization,” McNulty said.

Following the block party, which lasted from about noon to 6 p.m., there was a dance at the Wesley Foundation.

It took about 10-15 people to organize the block party, Carlvin said. He and Van Amos, program coordinator for the Center for Black Studies, came up with the idea to have the block party.

Chill Fest was funded by the BSU. Food was provided by the University Food Service.