Northwestern’s Student Activities Council is hosting the annual Dress Up Bingo Night on Saturday, Feb. 10 in the four-court area of the Rowenhorst Student Center.
The theme of the night plays off the idea of how one might typically imagine a bingo hall.
“Generally speaking, most bingo halls are filled with elderly people, so we like to have fun with that,” said Resident Director of Hospers Hall Michael Simmelink. “Lots of socks and sandals. Lots of big glasses. Lots of gray hair. As long as students aren’t mocking the elderly and it’s done in good taste.”
In his dual role as RD and Assistant Director of Student Activities, Simmelink is in charge of helping plan the event.
Not only does dressing up add to the fun, but it also earns students an extra bingo card.
Director of Student Programs Aaron Beadner noted the history of the event:
“Historically, people have borrowed clothes from their grandparents or picked up some clothes from a thrift store to dress up as a senior citizen,” Beadner said.
As is typical with most bingo games, numerous prizes are at stake. Some of the prizes have been donated by local businesses and organizations.
Beadner offered a teaser of what these prizes will look like. “One prize I’ll mention is that Pizza Ranch is donating two gifts of one free buffet per week for the rest of the semester,” Beadner said. “This week we will post prizes on our Instagram page @nwciowasac.”
Senior nursing major Elizabeth Glover revealed a few of the other prizes that are planned. “We’re offering your own parking spot [on campus], a Townsquare pack, flex money, a dinosaur costume and so much more,” Glover said.
The biggest task SAC faces in setting up for the event is getting all the prizes prepared.
“This entails contacting various local organizations about the possibility of them donating a prize for our bingo winners and shopping for other things college students would use or want,” Glover said.
Additionally, SAC has to move around all the tables and chairs that are set up for the Scholarship Auction earlier in the day.
Despite all the work, junior Samuel Callahan only has positive things to say about the event. “It’s well worth it when so many people come out to enjoy the night.”
