The flames licked the night sky as Brookdale once again gathered its students, alumni and neighbors for the annual bonfire on Thursday, Oct. 2.
By 7 p.m., the autumn chill had settled in, but the glow of the fire and the buzz of excitement quickly warmed the campus lawn. Admission was free for all students who presented their Brookdale ID, making the event an easy draw for hundreds looking for a night of food, music and tradition.
Music pulsed from the speakers as DJ Skillz made his long-awaited return to the event. He wasted no time filling the evening with energy, blending old favorites with fresh beats. Students circled closer, drawing the rhythm as the fire crackled behind them.
For Skillz, this year was about pushing energy even higher. “This is my second year joining the bonfire. Last year was fun…Hopefully this year we have more people dancing and enjoying themselves, making it more lit!” he said with a grin as the crowd began moving with the music.
Three food trucks lined the field and kept the atmosphere lively and the guests well fed. Smoky Roads offered up plates of tender barbecue, its smoky scent drifting through the crisp air. The Best Day Ever ice cream truck proved that no season was too cold for a cone, as students huddled together with sundaes in hand. Meanwhile, the Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee truck became a popular stop, pouring steaming lattes and spiced drinks that perfectly matched the October night.
For some, the bonfire was more than a fun night out; it was the continuation of a tradition. “This is my second year. The first was actually pretty fun, the first time seeing an actual fire lit up and nothing bad happened,” said Alexander Elogoodin, a 20-year-old humanities and music major.
As the fire crackled and sparks floated into the dark, the sound of laughter and conversation layered over the beat of the DJ Skillz set. The annual bonfire is more than just a campus event. It has become a fall ritual, one that celebrates Brookdale’s community and its spirit.
On this October night, the flames lit more than the sky. They lit memories for those returning, created new ones for students just beginning their journey, and kept alive a tradition that grows brighter with each passing year.
