The Mac Party that was rescheduled from its previous date in early October is taking place Nov. 11.
Scotty Rainwater provided a glimpse at the list of restaurants, businesses and activities that students will be able to explore at Rosa Parks Square during the event.
“Dough Boy’s Pizza is coming, and they are bringing bite-sized pizza things for us,” Rainwater said.
He also said that Just Tap’d, Bear’s Den, Francar’s and Marble Slab Ice Cream will be contributing food and drink samples.
Businesses at the event will include Hometown Yoga and Academy Sports + Outdoors. Rainwater said that students can enter a raffle for a chance to win a gift card to Academy.
Other local shopping options include Pink Chief and Karats and Keepsakes.
A few of Macon’s volunteer organizations, including Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia and Rebuilding Macon, will be providing students with information on how to get involved with them, Rainwater said.
Music entertainment for the night will feature DJ Kevin Nichols. Nichols is a part of the DKH Entertainment Group, who according to their website, provides the Southeast with “quality Disc Jockey, Photo Booths and Lighting design.”
Students will also be able to participate with Stunt Jumps.
“If you’re not familiar with it [Stunt Jumps], it’s where you climb up this two story ladder thing and then you jump off of it into this giant air pillow,” said Rainwater.“It’s a lot of fun.”
Another special form of entertainment that students will be able to participate in is the chance to be hypnotized. Quadworks has recruited a hypnotist, Matt Grisham, for the event.
According to his Facebook page, Grisham, has won many awards as a magician and hypnotist, while performing at different venues all over the country. “His shows feature a unique blend of sarcastic humor, wit, and mind-blowing stunts.”
Mercer’s clubs and organizations aren’t the only ones contributing to the planning of the event. Wesleyan and Middle Georgia State have also been working to bring businesses and people in.
“It's been a collaborative effort,” Rainwater said. Mercer’s Student Government Association, Wesleyan's Campus Activities Board and the staff members at each school are responsible for reaching out to the community, since College Hill Alliance has dissolved and is therefore not in charge of the event.
Lauren Buice, a sophomore who attended the Mac Party last year, said she isn’t worried about the Mac Party not being run by College Hill.
“SGA and Quadworks have great relationships with Mercer students and always throw great events, so I do not see how this will be any different,” she said.
Buice also said that she thinks having organizations and staff from the three schools involved in the Mac Party is better because it will “Involve more direct interaction between the businesses and the colleges themselves.”
The way the team goes about contacting the business, restaurants and vendors has a specific process.
“We had a list based on who came last year and just some other ones, [like] new businesses or ones we haven’t reached out to before that might be interested,” Rainwater said.
Those who reach out to businesses will ask if they are willing bring something to give away to the students. Rainwater said that businesses are asked to bring anything from food, prizes, or promotional products to get students interested in their business.
“If they don’t want to give stuff but want to still come and set up a table, that’s fine too,” Rainwater said.
He said this is especially true with the local museums and some of the outdoor recreational trails, like the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail.
“They don’t have anything to necessarily give away but they do have information they can give out to students to use their services,” Rainwater said.
Madilyn Grace Harrell, a freshman, said she’s excited about the Mac Party because it’s “something [different than] sitting in a library.”
She also said she wants to go because it will be a chance to socialize.
“Seeing other people from other college campuses will be nice. I feel like I study a lot and am hard on myself so getting out and going to a party would be nice,” Harrell said. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about it.”
Mac Party promises food, music and hypnotism
