If you wandered by DU’s Campus Green last Wednesday evening, it would’ve been hard to miss the music, the dancing or the smell of barbecue wafting through the air. Boots stomped in unison as students followed the lead of instructors in cowboy hats, dancing in rows to the rhythm of country favorites. Nearby, the scent of pulled pork and mac and cheese signaled something every college student welcomes: free food.
Hoedown Throwdown, a spring celebration hosted by the DU Programming Board (DUPB) transformed the typical Wednesday evening into a fun, laid-back community gathering.
By 6 p.m., the line for food had already grown past the welcome tent. Students balanced overflowing plates as they made their way to spots on the grass where they sat to catch up and relax in the sun. A few steps away, students lined up for a chance to win one of several hand-picked raffle prizes, including a bonsai tree LEGO set, a four-person tent, Owala water bottles and a JBL speaker.
The event took months of hard work, countless volunteers and hands-on planning. DUPB, the student-run group behind many of the university’s signature events, planned every detail, from the playlist to the pulled pork. Known for organizing everything from movie nights to major concerts, the organization creates spaces for students to connect in ways that feel relaxed and fun.
According to DUPB board member Aimee Harling, the theme came from a slightly unexpected source.
“The ‘Cowboy Carter’ album came out around the time we were planning,” Harling said with a laugh. “At first it was kind of a joke… and then we were like, yeah let’s just do it.”
And so they did. The idea quickly turned into reality, complete with professional line dance instructors from Two Left Boots, who guided students through classic routines with enthusiasm and patience.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Lizz Holmes, a first-year student who attended with friends. Holding a plate filled with mac and cheese and pulled pork. “But this has been such a fun way to spend the evening. It’s just good vibes.”
The event has successfully grown since last year’s trial run and the organization is excited about the years to come.
Events like Hoedown Throwdown are a reminder of what student life can look like when it’s powered by creativity, humor, music and free food of course. And as always, the DU Programming Board is at the heart of making that happen.
