NachoFest became an MSU tradition soon after its first modest event, and grew by the hundreds nearly until two years ago.
The event went through a year-long hiatus from fall 2012 to spring 2013 after a law was passed requiring the buyer to tag each keg with their name, address, phone number and driver’s license number.
Last fall, the tradition was revived by MSU alumnus Ben Thomas and his friends. This Saturday, with the end of the semester on the horizon, the group will be hosting NachoFest 2014.
“The coolest part about this is that it happened so long ago,” Thomas said. “It’s an actual tradition. People have heard the name NachoFest from their older siblings. Sometimes it can be hard to keep a tradition up and going, so I hope someone keeps it going after me.”
Thomas said guests will be coming from all around to take part in the legacy they started as students. He even reached out to some of the original hosts.
“It’s a really good opportunity to host the biggest party of my life,” Thomas said.
Conrad’s Grill on Grand River Avenue will provide about 150 pounds of chips with about 120 pounds of cheese to be drizzled. With that, the event will feature jungle juice instead of the traditional kegs.
Zoology and media arts and technology senior Blair Carter has attended two years of NachoFest celebrations. He said the best part was having a chance to have fun and relax with friends.
“Since it’s usually right before exams, you get to get away from books for a day,” he said. “You get to just hang out with people and listen to good music.”
NachoFest is not only a release, it is also a tradition kept alive by alumni and stories passed down through generations.
Supply chain management senior Chris Origer, another host of the event, said NachoFest gives students something special to hold on to that they can call their own.
“People really identify with it,” he said. “It’s become a part of the identity at MSU.”
