Public Relations can be a Mudfest

Public Relations is building and maintaining relationships. Mudfest 2012 at the residence hall at the University of Florida is a 40-year tradition that is meant to develop relationships between residents. It is great way to meet new people while having fun. Such an event is one that a public relations practitioner may have to put on to showcase his or her cause or organization.

ROTC members play mud polo in mud-pit. photo by Ann-Makir Magloire.

Mudfest is a week-long competition of sports in the mud, floor decorations and spirit competitions. There is mudpolo, mud volleyball, mud tug of war and rock picking. Each residence hall floor decorates a respective window area and compete against each other for the best theme and design. This year through Penny Wars money competition the residence halls were able to raise money for March for Babies.

Residents during rock picking, first day of Mudfest. photo by Ann-Makir Magloire.

To create this week-long event requires planning and teamwork. Since this is 40-year-long tradition there is more of a guideline to follow but it is just as hard.

Resident floor decorated window. Willy Wonka theme. photo by Ann-Makir Magloire.

To begin with, for any event there is a goal, a social event for residents to have fun and get to know each other.

Residents meet for first time during Mudfest opening ceremony. photo by Ann-Makir Magloire.

Next, planning for the event is important, the planning starts with the executive board. Decisions need to be made about money, location, permits, dates, time, supplies, people, space, promotion, and any other obstacles that may come up.

Poster of Day 1 competitions. photo by Ann-Makir Magloire.

 There is also the part about funding the event. Funds come from sales of activity cards which are $10 per resident and this allows residents to participate in area activities, rent supplies and cash checks.

Resident signs in and sign waiver liability form for the first day of Mudfest. photo by Ann-Makir Magloire.

  Moreover,

·         Permits had to be issued to dig the pit for the mud for Mudfest.  

·         Mud had to be bought and transported from Georgia.

·         Workers had to be hired and assigned to dig the pit.

·         Food had to be ordered for the event.

Residents line up for food at Mudfest opening ceremony. photo by Ann-Makir Magloire.

·         Supplies had to be organized and accounted for

o   Volleyballs, Polo ball

General body members carry net to Mudfest site. photo by Ann-Makir Magloire.

o   Rope

o   Nets

o   Tables

o   Stage

o   Mics

o   Rule books

o   Judges

o   And more.

Mud-pit before Mudfest starts.  photo by Ann-Makir Magloire.

General body members set up stage. photo by Ann-Makir Magloire.

A team is very important for event planning and the general body for the area council played a large role in helping to organize pit watches as well as setting up during the opening ceremony and day of the sports.




Pit watches were to make sure that individuals did not play or hurt themselves when the mud-pit was not in use.

Residents enjoy the first late night pit watch together. photo by Ann-Makir Magloire.

Communication is very important when organizing such an event and it helps in making an effective team.

Treasurer, part of executive board gives thumbs up approval. photo by Ann-Makir Magloire.

·         The publicity team, worked to promote the event.

·         Hall presidents, made sure each floor had representatives for the sport competitions.

·         Executive board members made sure individuals were playing their role and updated with information and any changes.

Competitive mud polo played by ROTC. photo by Ann-Makir Magloire.

There is a lot of logistics in event planning which is a part of public relations. To be a great event planner, one must be able to manage time, budget, and work with a team and see the whole picture for a project. A great reference for planning public relations event is here. It takes hard work before one can play in the mud. After one gets dirty, it is important to clean up and in public relations that means we review the results and conduct an evaluation.

Members of the executive board wash up after a late night of volleyball competition. photo by Ann-Makir Magloire.

© Ann-Makir Magloire