Marching in the new year
By Julia Berkman
On Wednesday, Western freshmen gathered in Red Square to Herald in the new school year with mac and cheese, fireworks and face painting. Once a year, Western alumni and students alike set up shop at Depot Market Square in downtown Bellingham to watch the Herald Building sign turn blue.
Varsity athletes as well as the Squalicum High School pep band guided the incoming students down High Street and to Market Square amid air horns and loud fanfares. At the head of the pack, President Sabah Randhawa and AS President Simrun Chhabra!
Upon their arrival at Depot Market Square, students joined the masses roaming the array of stalls, food trucks and Western sponsors. Free mac and cheese from Boundary Bay Brewery was accompanied by food trucks like Pizza’za, La Gloria Taqueria and Goat Mountain.
On stage, tunes were spun by Western alumnus and D.J. Nathan Cox before being handed over to Bellingham duo Noisywaters. Noisywaters just released their new album VERANO in July. The band will be headlining at the State of Bliss Anniversary show at the Alternative Library on Sept. 29.
Despite some sound issues, Noisywaters had the crowd of over 300 students cheering. Bubbles and glow sticks were handed out to the audience while they danced.
At 7:45 p.m., Sabah took to the stage to announce the beginning of another year at Western, as well as expressing his thanks to the alumnus for sponsoring the event. Then, the countdown for the fireworks began.
As the sky lit up with pyrotechnics, the Herald sign turned from its signature red to a brilliant Western blue. The crowd was silent, save for the atmospheric synth of Noisywaters. It was truly a stunning display. After that, Western freshmen were invited to exit the event together, though many stayed while Noisywaters played their last few songs.
Paint B’ham Blue served as the perfect welcome for our new students and for the former students as well. Have a great beginning of the year!