The Memorial Union hosted the biannual WelcomeFest Wednesday bringing in over 2,000 Iowa State students and more than 100 businesses. Students sought employment opportunities, snagged free merchandise and gained resources to adapt to the city of Ames more comfortably. 

The entrance line wrapped around the Memorial Union through five different rooms, all the way into the staircase. Durham Great Hall was jam-packed with students of all different years and numerous other companies. 

“Maybe they could make [the line] only go one way, [in a] singular file,” Andrew Langellier, a freshman in interior design, said. “Instead, we are all going in different directions, fighting to get to different tables.” 

At WelcomeFest, companies can promote their businesses and allow students to familiarize themselves with their products and services. Vendors ranged from Blaze Pizza, CrossRoad Baptist Church and Asylum Tattoo & Piercing.  

“This is our biggest event with the student community throughout the year,” said Eric Deters, a firefighter with the Ames Fire Department. “Kids don’t know how to cook, and then we show up and help them out, and then they see us here and say hi.”

Almost every company passed out free items, including mugs, coupons and a fan favorite, free pizza. 

“I loved learning about the companies in our new home, but also loved the free stuff,” Owen Goehring, a sophomore in aerospace engineering, said. “Blaze Pizza was [our favorite] because they were handing out free pizza.”

“They hooked us in with the free pizza,” said Anthony Ososki, a freshman in kinesiology and health. “We definitely will be going there throughout the year.” 

The Student Engagement Office promoted WelcomeFest throughout campus, online and in person. 

“I was surprised by the amount of people here, but actually not really,” Dakota Lewin, a sophomore studying chemical engineering, said. “[Student Engagement] sent out so many emails to us and just kept saying ‘FREE’ in all caps.”