Cru, a student-led organization centered around Christianity , threw their annual Barn Bash this Friday and raised the roof — but not actually in a barn.
MSU students in flannel and cowboy boots filled the Riverview Church in Lansing for a hoe-down on Friday evening.
The Barn Bash is an annual country-themed event with square dancing, pie eating and costume contests.
Originally titled Barn Bash, this year it was called “What Happened to the Barn? Bash!” referring to the changed location.
The event is normally held in a barn, but the group had to relocate this year because they were unsure if the barn could hold all of the attendees, said arts and humanities sophomore Caleb Hires.
The event has grown to attract over five to six hundred people every year, and the location had changed twice before settling at Riverview Church.
“Michigan State is an (agriculture) school, so everyone is down to party hick-(style),” said political science junior Jake Fowler with a laugh, nodding towards his marker-made “mom” tattoo on his bicep.
Human biology junior Jessica Harris has attended the Barn Bash and been a part of Cru since her freshman year and believes it is a good event for students with curiosity about Christianity to go to.
“I’m from a really small town,” Harris said. “For me, Cru really helped break down Michigan State. Instead of 50,000 people, it broke it down into 500 people, and then 11 people that I can get to know.”
Cru helped to create a place for Harris on campus where she feels comfortable and welcomed.
“I think it’s a really non-threatening environment just to check out the people,” Harris said.
Hires, who has been a part of group since his freshman year as well, said Cru is an environment that takes students for where they are, whether they’re Christian or unsure about their faith.
First-time attendee psychology freshman Kendall Eme said having an organization to fall into her freshman year made her feel more at home.
“It’s really a strong community as a freshman which is kind of nice to have coming in,” Eme said. “There’s a lot to love.”
