It wasn’t quite Times Square on New Year’s Eve or Cinco de Mayo in Mexico City, but Taste of Veishea was the place to be on Friday and Saturday nights.

Welch Avenue was packed with revelers taking in the smells, sights and sounds of a myriad of attractions.

“Food, dancing, nice women everywhere — what more could you ask for?” said Nick Bofferding, a freshman in computer engineering.

Partiers could enjoy big-glove boxing, the bungee run, jousting, a bucking bronco, human darts and a “show your strength” game.

“The jousting and the boxing were a riot,” said Matt Kuhns, a freshman in art.

On Saturday night, however, many at Taste of Veishea were mystified by the early disappearance of the games, which were packed up before 10:30 p.m.

Daniel Faidley, Veishea general co-chairman, said the game operators had to leave because of previous commitments at high school post-prom parties.

Many fights marred Saturday evening’s fun on Welch Avenue.

After one altercation, two men faced each other angrily, one with blood running down his bald head and one waving his fists threateningly.

An onlooker tried to add some humor to the tense situation: “You guys all need another beer, huh?”

At least two others weren’t totally satisfied with the situation.

“This isn’t near as cool as the UNI riots,” said Dan Woodward, a UNI student enjoying himself near T-Galaxy.

An ISU student who would only identify himself as “Dirt” said, “This is great, but not enough people get naked.”

Vendors selling food ranging from gyros to brats to funnel cakes, lined Welch Avenue between Lincoln Way and Chamberlain St.

The Veishea ambassadors monitored the crowd and answered questions for Veishea-goers throughout the Taste of Veishea celebration.

“Lots of people ask questions. They want to know what’s going on, or where stuff is at,” said Justin Hattan, one of the ambassadors who was roaming up and down Welch Avenue this weekend.

Even President Martin Jischke was spotted on Welch Avenue throughout parts of the evening.

“There are thousands of people — some are dancing, some are eating, some are just hanging out,” said ISU President Martin Jischke, observing the scene from his spot on the driveway of the Welch Avenue fire station.