At the beginning of each school year, thousands of young adults step onto their college campus as students for the first time. The excitement of exploring a new home is often met with the anxiety that accompanies being unfamiliar with new surroundings. In 2019, Millersville University held its first ComMUnity Fest as a means to connect students with the many businesses and organizations that also call Lancaster County home.

The second ComMUnity Fest was held in front of the Student Memorial Center on Millersville University's campus on Sept. 14. Hundreds of students roamed the campus, getting to know businesses such as Lancaster Cupcake, Giant Food Stores, Sheetz and Field of Screams. Several restaurants and food vendors handed out free samples and acquainted themselves with the many new faces on campus.

"We want students to feel at home here in Millersville and in Lancaster County as a whole," said John Kearns, director of operations for the Student Memorial Center. "We invite vendors, nonprofits and organizations to campus to connect with our students one-on-one. This way, our community is introduced to students and vice versa." The event also featured live music and several games and activities for students to take part in.

Among the many businesses and restaurants present were various nonprofit organizations that handed out informational materials to students. Homefields Care Farm was one of the local nonprofits in attendance and offered students information about volunteer opportunities. Located on Letort Road in Millersville, Homefields Care Farm provides work for people with disabilities and educational talks on native plants and organic farming. "We have several pollinator gardens on the property and we place a big emphasis on native plants," said AnnaJane Williams, a hostess at Homefields. "Right now, it's pawpaw season, so we have a basket of them and are handing them out to students." Other organizations present were the Lafayette Fire Company, Lancaster General Health and Sky Zone.

Millersville University took a break from hosting ComMUnity Fest after the first event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the event has returned, the university hopes to make the event a yearly tradition.