The beloved pseudo-gambling event will take over the Student Centre on Dec. 5
On Friday, Dec. 5, the Mt.A Student Centre will be transformed into a glitzy casino for the last big campus-wide event of the fall semester: Sackvegas. For the low price of $7 in advance, or $10 at the door, students will get the chance to gamble away 150 fake dollars on a variety of casino games throughout the building.
“I’ve been planning the event off and on since May, so now it’s just a mad scramble to get across the finish line,” said MASU Entertainment Director Patrick Barnhill. Barnhill’s corner of the MASU office is filled with props and decorations, including the printed “money” attendees can bet at the various casino games and the iconic “SACKVEGAS” sign that will greet them. “It’s like Monopoly money, but it’s catered to Mount A,” said Barnhill, whose face features on the faux $50 bill. The other bills feature MASU President Wilson Paluch, Mt.A President Ian Sutherland, and the entertainment director from last year, Kristen Girouard.
Kathryn Canning, the MASU’s assistant director of Entertainment, said Sackvegas is an “event for the entire community” and a “great opportunity to meet new people.” She says she has heard Mt.A alumni say “what they remember most about their time at Mount A is events like Sackvegas.”
This year, most of the casino games, including three blackjack tables and a roulette table, will be in Gracie’s. Barnhill said last year’s decision to move the games from Tweedie Hall to Gracie’s was “an amazing change,” so he “kept that energy going,” replacing the former dance floor with a dimly lit casino.
“A new thing that Patrick’s adding this year is poker tables,” says Canning. Two tables, one of which will be Texas Hold ‘Em, will be located in the atrium of the Student Centre near the mailboxes. Canning said she has heard “really positive responses” to the idea from committee members and their friends.
Volunteers will also be serving free mocktails in Tweedie Hall, which will also hold a photo booth and photo backdrops. Barnhill said Tweedie would be the place to go to “get away from the casino games, go grab a mocktail and catch your breath.”
The MASU is collaborating with Student Life to set up an “alternative space” in the Wellness Centre during the event. “That’s a space that’s quieter and more removed from the event,” says Barnhill. “If the music’s too loud, or it’s too busy, people are getting uncomfortable or overstimulated or just need a break, there’s a place for them to go.”
Sackvegas has a dress code, though not a strict one. “It’s semi-formal, so show up in semi-formal, or whatever makes you feel comfortable,” says Barnhill, who plans to wear a suit.
Most of the ideas for the event came from the Entertainment Committee, which is also the largest MASU committee. Barnhill says most committees have around 10 members, while the Entertainment Committee has around 40. “Where we have such a large committee, there are tons of different perspectives and tons of different ideas,” says Canning. “There’s always great conversation that’s had, which I think is a really good thing when planning entertainment events for a campus that’s so big with such a diverse population of people.” Barnhill called the committee “a database of volunteers.” He estimates 70 volunteers will help keep the night running smoothly, staffing the ticket desk, coat check, games, and mocktail bar.
Barnhill says Sackvegas “shows people the pros and cons of gambling without you having to waste money.” There are limits, however. “When you run out, you run out,” says Barnhill. “You can’t keep coming back and getting more 150s, so spend carefully.”
As a security measure, attendees will not be able to leave the event and come back. According to Barnhill, that is not a problem. “It sounds like a brag,” he says, “but you’re not going to want to leave until you’re ready to go home for the night.”