Story by Karysa Brown, Carlton delegation; Edited by Lale Akkin, Mounds View; Image by Nicholas Anderson, Irondale
Friday night’s evening activities included a variety of things. One of the most popular, the YIG fest, included inflatable obstacle courses, ring toss, and other fun games. Delegates could also enjoy a treat of cotton candy or buttered popcorn.
Karaoke was very chaotic; people down the hall could hear the songs. Everyone who went shouted out the fun, well-known songs along with the singers.
The craft room had customizable lanyards, and delegates could draw using a variety of supplies provided. Anyone who wanted to study or take a break could go to the quiet-space room.
One of the rooms held the Town Hall meeting where candidates for governor and lieutenant governor could meet other delegates and answer questions.
Delegates formed a long line at the photobooth, where they could use props such as hats, scarves, and more. They wore hats, scarves, and other funny accessories provided. These accessories made the photos an interesting experience that will help delegates remember their time in Youth in Government.
As every year, plenty of delegates spent their evening activities at Trivia. “I did trivia last night, I love trivia, but I had to split my group into two because there were six of us and we stayed for about six rounds though I had to keep leaving. My team that I kept abandoning actually won two rounds without me. The reason I had to keep leaving was because I was a part of the talent show. I had to keep leaving so I wasn’t able to do more trivia but I really wanted to do more trivia,” said Bryn Cannon from the St. Anthony Village Delegation.
“I went to trivia which was very long but I didn’t stay long and I auditioned for the fantastic talent show media audition,” said Gabe Richardson from the Hastings Delegation. “My favorite evening activity was the talent show because I got to do it with all of media and it was super fun and hilarious and it made me laugh.” The talent show auditions, very populous compared to last conference, had to split up into two categories to make time for all auditions.
Many played in the quiet board games room, which, contradictory to its name, created lots of sound. The people who preferred socializing, played at a larger board game area in the middle of the third floor. Among the giant game boards on the floor, a crowd liked the large Uno game most, holding cards that couldn’t fit in anyone’s hands.
Most delegates traveled from room to room throughout the evening, experiencing as much as they could. “I played Connect Four and got cotton candy as well as a game of Five Crowns, which is a card game. I saw the bouncy houses and thought they looked really fun and cool but I didn’t get a chance to because I was playing a really long game of cards. It definitely looked interesting and would’ve been a lot of fun to try. I thought this year’s activities were really fun,” said Lillian Thuente from the Highland Park Delegation.
Evening activities were a lot of fun, giving everyone a chance to meet new people and play games as a relaxing ending to the YIG day. If anyone missed the evening activities last night, delegates can still participate in the ones on Saturday.