Mark your calendars- this year’s annual FloURIsh Fest will be held on September 10th on the Quad, bringing together everything from zumba, to rock climbing walls. This annual event celebrates wellness and enhances college life, allowing students to explore the many outlets, organizations, and activities on campus and within the community. From fitness and mindfulness to outdoor recreation and sports, Campus Rec helps students find their niche and sense of belonging.
Event Overview
FloURIsh Fest brings together all aspects of the URI community. FloURIsh will feature club sport booths, EMTs, a food truck, small businesses, health and wellness programs, gardening clubs, and much more. There is truly something for everyone. The event will host interactive games for prizes, raffles, inflatable obstacle course, lawn games, a climbing wall, petting zoo, along student-led hula hoop, and dance classes! The URI community is diverse, with students from all backgrounds: international, out-of-state, transfers, grad students, and more. URI provides everyone with some outlet to better themselves and reset.
All of our program areas will be in attendance at FloURIsh Fest! Whether you are an incoming freshman or a senior, there are so many elements of URI to be explored. Interested in studying abroad? Hoping to get a part-time job? FloURIsh Fest will have plenty of student resources and organizations for you to check out, meet people, and get connected with the right opportunities, regardless of how you want to get involved on campus.
At last year’s event, 1,200 students were in attendance! With nearly 100 organizations and booths in the center of campus, it is hard to miss. This event is a great way to kick off the fall semester, providing the opportunity to check out clubs and organizations you are interested in while the weather is still nice. Take a leap this semester by immersing yourself in the many opportunities FloURIsh Fest has to offer.
Community building
I first attended FloURIsh fest my freshman year when it took place in the spring. My first year of college was full of ups and downs and struggles to really get connected at URI. FloURIsh really allowed me to get involved with Campus Rec. My friends and I participated in the yard games and Group Ex led zumba for a while. We then talked to some of the student employees about their experience within the Campus Rec community, and shortly after, followed Campus Rec’s social media platform. Because of this, I was notified about a job opportunity within both the Intramural program, along with the marketing team, to which I applied for and was accepted! FloURIsh not only brings people together for one day, but is really a catalyst for community building and showcasing what the university as a whole has to offer for the student body. Whether you are just looking for an excuse to get outside, or trying to immerse yourself into the URI community, FloURIsh is just the event for you!
Last year’s FloURIsh Fest was held in September on a beautiful fall day. Both of the club sports I am a part of, swim and field hockey, had booths there, and I worked both of them. It is encouraging to talk to newcomers and those interested in what you are passionate about. Many of my friends are involved in academic and social clubs, who also had booths at the event. It was motivating to start off the year surrounded by so many people who share passions and love for the university we attend, while encouraging others to get involved! As I look forward to my final FloURIsh Fest, I am excited to encourage others to seek out their passions and get connected with the URI community. See you there, Rams!
By Erin Mullaney Major: Political Science Graduating May 2026