Cotton candy, kettle corn and festive decorations will set a nostalgic scene and a carnival party theme at the upcoming Presidential Ball.
But not every Fairfield student is on board with a trip down memory lane for this year’s formal event.
In a recent Fizz poll created by The Mirror with 2,369 votes, only 35% of students voted in favor of the carnival idea, while 65% voted against it.
Each year, the Traditional Programming Board is responsible for deciding the theme. During training, held one week before classes start, members brainstorm ideas and select a theme. To keep tradition fresh, themes are not repeated from year to year.
For some students, the carnival theme feels like a missed opportunity.
“There could be so many better themes,” said Elena DeBari ‘26. “The usual stuff – the music, the food, the lights – that’s what makes Pres Ball fun. Carnival feels a little too specific. I’m not sure how they would do that theme for Pres Ball.”
Other students echoed that concern, questioning how the theme will be carried out in a formal setting.
“I don’t really like the theme, to be honest with you,” said junior Christina Brunetti. “I feel like carnival is so outdated and hard to dress for. Are we supposed to be vintage-looking?”
For some students, the lines between a carnival and a circus seemed blurred, which made the theme harder to picture for a formal night.
Brunetti adds, “My mind goes straight to the circus with a tent, hula hoops and animals. But then, I think of an amusement fair with rides. That’s carnival. But they’re not going to have that. It just doesn’t feel like a formal event.”
“The idea of Pres Ball has always been formal attire,” said junior Mossimo Infante-Meehan. “That’s why a carnival theme sounds very childish when we’re adults. That’s not what Pres Ball should be. Honestly, hearing this theme made me not want to go. I think it’d be cool if they did a Great Gatsby theme or USA – anything but the circus.”
Others took a more neutral stance.
“It could be fun. It has potential,” said junior Trip Pisano. “The theme hasn’t always been that important. No one really dresses for it. Besides the food and décor, it doesn’t make much difference. I’m not too thrilled or displeased about it. It is what it is.”
Despite the mixed reactions to the theme, students are still preparing for one of Fairfield’s most anticipated fall traditions. The 22nd annual Presidential Ball, hosted by Fairfield University Student Association, will take place Friday, Sept. 26, from 8 to 11 p.m. on Bellarmine Lawn, with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. and closing at 9:00 p.m. without reentry. Tickets are $45 and have been emailed to seniors on Sept. 15 and will be emailed to underclassmen today at noon.
A signature part of the evening, especially for first-year students, is the opportunity to meet and interact with the university president and his wife. Students can stop by Bellarmine Hall to take photos with them, a long-standing part of the Pres Ball experience.
FUSA is bringing carnival food to the event. “Get ready for all your carnival favorites—everything from sweet cotton candy and crunchy kettle corn to plenty of other classic treats you know and love,” said Courtney Sabogal, FUSA president.
“This year, we want to capture that nostalgic feeling of going to the carnival with friends. To make it extra special, we’ll have an exclusive candy bar stocked with all your favorite classic carnival treats.”
Planning for the Presidential Ball begins months in advance and spans the end of the previous academic year through the summer. According to Sabogal, the budget is $100,000. FUSA collaborates with campus partners, including DPS and Aramark Catering, to provide a safe, enjoyable experience for all students.
The event is exclusively for Fairfield students, with no outside guests permitted, ensuring the celebration is focused on the University community.
For administrators, the Presidential Ball represents more than just a formal event – it is a tradition that has grown over the past 22 years, bringing students together each fall.
Whether students embrace the carnival theme or hope for a different one next year, the Presidential Ball is a night that brings the Fairfield community together for food, music and memories.