Video: City of East Lansing Welcomes Back MSU Students With ‘Moonlight ExtravaGRANDza’
On Monday, Aug. 30, the City of East Lansing held a ‘Moonlight ExtravaGRANDza’ in the downtown area to welcome back Michigan State University students on the eve of the fall semester.
The placemaking event featured a vaccine clinic run by the Ingham County Health Department where MSU students could get their Covid-19 shot. MSU is requiring all students, faculty and staff to submit proof of their Covid-19 vaccination. In limited cases, exemptions will be granted.
Additionally, there was live music in Ann Street Plaza and elsewhere around downtown, “knockerball” in Valley Court Park, an appearance from Zeke the Wonderdog, and “plants and painting” at the Marriott Plaza.
Plenty of student groups and other organizations were downtown doing outreach and handing out giveaways, too.
Among those groups was the Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU), which is the University’s student government. They were out registering students to vote and giving away tote bags, mugs, and other stuff.
The event also served a dual purpose of welcoming students into East Lansing for the year while also bringing an influx of people downtown after a year where numerous businesses suffered or closed for good.
While providing an update on City affairs to the Library Board of Trustees on Wednesday, Sept. 1, Mayor Jessy Gregg, who also owns the downtown business Seams, mentioned the success of the event.
“The Spartans are back in town and their energy is palpable,” she said. “I love their energy. It’s really fun to have them back in town.”
Watch the video above to see more from the event!
Publisher and Executive Director Alice Dreger contributed photos and video. Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott contributed to reporting with information from the Library Board of Trustees meeting.