| Traditions | |
- Bed Races: Flagstaff is home to the largest bed races in the world. Each year, Wheeler Park plays host to hundreds of people that turn out for this Flag tradition. Businesses in town each sponsor a “bed,” a metal frame on wheels that rolls down the street. The teams line up down the street and must try to complete the downhill circuit. It’s always a fun time, and all proceeds benefit local charities.
- Diversity Week: Many on-campus organizations take part in the University’s diversity week—a weeklong celebration of culture and differences. Presentations on different cultural art, guest speakers, and even a sampling of various ethnic foods in the Union are all part of the festivities.
- Family Weekend: Usually in October, Family Weekend is the time of year where you invite the folks to come and check out your life for a couple of days. It’s always very well-attended by tons of parents, and the whole town seemingly transforms into Lumberjack parent stomping grounds. Events usually include a welcome meeting, a production from NAU theater, and the big Saturday football game. Also, this is the time to mooch a free meal from the ‘rents at one of Flagstaff’s mouthwatering restaurants.
- Gabapalooza: Gabaldon Hall puts on this annual event toward the end of the spring semester. It’s an outdoor festival with live music, food, raffles, and lots of carnival games. Students that have attended before always look forward to it, and it’s a great morale booster for the impending stress of finals.
- Gala: If you happen to check out the opening night of a production from the Department of Theatre, make sure to stick around in the lobby after the performance. Gala is customarily where the actors present the crew with gifts and signs of gratitude for all the hard work during the production. You’ll often see tears, laughter, and a whole lot of yummy cake.
- Golden Axe Award: The Golden Axe Award is the highest honor granted to students by the University. It is given to outstanding seniors who have made significant contributions in the areas of academics, service, and activities. The award is meant to be a hallmark in a student’s career and a great honor to include on resumes. Winners are honored at a banquet at the end of the semester.
- Greek Week: Greek Week is a weeklong celebration of Greeks and the brotherhood and sisterhood of their respective chapters. It’s a good way to really get to know the personalities of the different frats and sororities. Events include trivia, games, and a talent show that showcases the finest the Greeks have to offer.
- Holiday Dinner: For years, the Department of Music has been putting on this wonderful event in the early weeks of December. It is a dinner comprised of performances from all of the different chorale groups, and it has become a very special and meaningful event for many. All of the proceeds are used for scholarships, graduate assistantships, and various other music pursuits.
- Lumberjack Welcome Weekend: The first weekend the residence halls are open at the beginning of each semester is traditionally called Lumberjack Welcome Weekend. During the two days, a number of events are planned for freshmen. It’s usually a great time to go out and meet new people. During the fall, the weekend is capped off on Sunday by a giant barbeque in the TWA quad where a band will play and fun will be had.
- Pine Cone Drop: For New Year’s, Flagstaff celebrates in the most stereotypical, northern Arizonan way. While partygoers in New York City have the Big Apple, Flagstaffians have . . . a pine cone. Yes, when the clock strikes 12 on the big day, you and all of your friends can spend it in true hippie fashion by watching the pine cone drop from the top of Charly’s at the Weatherford Hotel in downtown. Bring your trail mix!
- Taylor Haunted House: For Halloween, Taylor Hall puts on one of the best haunted houses in town. It’s usually located in the Fieldhouse and always manages to draw big crowds from both NAU students and the local community. It’s a great fundraising event for charity and also acts as a fantastic canned food drive.
- Tequila Sunrise: A benchmark event, Tequila Sunrise is the unofficial beginning to the Homecoming festivities. Occurring the Saturday of the game, the local bars open at 6 a.m., and early morning patrons drink up to start the day off. By the time the game comes around, most people are too drunk to really care what happens. Whether the team wins or loses, everyone’s happy!
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