The Optimist

Media Credit: Laci Armstrong

The Slip 'n' Slide, invented in 1961, turned a simple water-drenched plastic tarp into an essential element for a child's perfect summer day. But even with more than 20 different kinds of Slip 'n' Slides now available in stores, one won't find the one used for this semester's Back Yard Bash.

The 100-foot slide followed by a tractor-dug mud pit behind Smith-Adams Residence Hall was the highlight for many in last weekend's Back Yard Bash, hosted by Residence Life.

The Back Yard Bash, first started in 2004 with Smith-Adams residents going down a 50-foot slide in the back yard of the residence halls. Since then, the Bash has grown into a campus-wide event.

Michelle Lessly, assistant director of Adams Hall and coordinator for the Bash, said over 250 people attended the event.

"I think everyone had a great time and took advantage of the opportunity to relax and have some fun before the end-of-the-semester crunch time," Lessly said. "It gets better and better every year."

As well as the slide, participants of the Bash enjoyed live music from several bands and free hamburgers and hotdogs.

Caryn Carroll, junior speech pathology major from Abilene, helped coordinate the event and prepare the food. She said this semester's Bash was the best one yet.

"It's fun to watch people playing crochet, frisbee and random backyard things all day long," Carroll said.

Carroll said this semester's mud pit was a crowd favorite probably because it was the largest it has ever been.

"Last semester there were two pits and two slides; this semester the pit was massive. The biggest there has ever been," Carroll said.

The mud pit was prepared the night before the event by several of the residence hall's RAs.

Both Carroll and Lessly said they are optimistic about the Bash's future.

"We are trying to focus on getting more off-campus people to the event next year," Carroll said.

Email Piersall at optimist@acu.com

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