On Feb. 10, PartyBucs will host a silent disco in the Culp Ballroom from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. The event is open to all ETSU students and the community.
There will be a maximum of 1000 headphones. However, if there is a high amount of participants, PartyBucs will shift participants. It will be first come-first serve.
Every participant has to either bring their ETSU student ID or a government-issued ID. Participants will also need to sign a standard form.
PartyBucs will use the same company that ETSU uses for silent discos at PREVIEW and other events.
Caelan Peterson, the founder, and staff advisor of PartyBucs talked about how silent discos are very important to ETSU students. He talked about how silent disco brings the ETSU community together.
“Everyone’s kind of participated in it,” said Peterson.
Peterson said that the biggest priority of the events is the safety of the students whether that be mental health, COVID or public safety.
PartyBucs is aiming for 1200 people to come to Silent Disco. They will send a Google Form out to estimate how much food and drink they will need. The form will not reserve a spot or a headphone.
PartyBucs paid $8,000 for this event. Most PartyBucs events cost $800-$2000.
PartyBucs uses partnerships and fundraising to organize their events. The organization is partnered with ETSU’s Student Government Association. In the past, PartyBucs have paired up with POLO, IFC, BucWild and Panhellenic.
Peterson said that PartyBucs’ main focus is on the mental health of ETSU students. “You Matter” is PartyBucs’ tagline. He said that PartyBucs is a place where students can feel safe mentally and physically.
“You know, we’re creating a platform for partying, which is something that you know, most students are looking for in their collegiate experience. So how can we do that in a safe and healthy manner, but then use that platform for mental health awareness?” said Peterson, “Because the thing is, when the music stops, how are you actually doing? How are you coping? What do you need?”
PartyBucs was founded last April with its 90s Prom by Peterson and the ETSU Counseling Center. PartyBucs has had previous events like the 90s Prom, PJ Party and Boogie in Brooks. With all of the events combined, there have been 6000 total participants at PartyBucs events. PartyBucs has sold Boogie in Brooks shirts and PartyBucs sweatshirts.
PartyBucs plan to have a formal in March and an afterparty for the Summit Awards on April 18.
PartyBucs always tries to plan their events in sync with ETSU’s big events calendar, usually hosting events on Thursdays and Fridays. Peterson said that PartyBucs always tries to keep events free and open to the public. They also keep all events on or near campus.
“We want to remain on campus just to allow accessibility to all students,” said Peterson, “We like to do is one we want to remove any barriers to entry for students,” Peterson said.
Peterson is always open to new events and ideas for ETSU. If anyone has ideas, they can contact PartyBucs on their Instagram, @partybucs.
