University Avenue came alive as students, local businesses, and community members gathered for The Arts and Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS) annual Sidewalk Sale.
As part of the ASUS orientation, University Avenue was closed between Union Street and Stuart Street from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The road was lined with booths from local businesses, larger companies, Queen’s and AMS services, and clubs. Businesses were either selling their products or handing out coupons and samples, while clubs promoted to the students.
Queen’s Black Fashion Association President Celine Mpora, ArtSci ’27, said their booth was well received in an interview with The Journal.
“I think people are eager to join clubs, so we’ve gotten a lot of people to sign up,” she said.
President of ASUS Natasha Andrade also spoke to the event going well.
“I’m so happy to see the engagement, not only with Arts and Sciences students, but with the entire student body,” Andrade said in an interview with The Journal. “One thing I love about Sidewalk Sale is that it’s open to the entire public, so we get to see local community members.”
Andrade said the event allows students to be more integrated with the broader Kingston community when campus can feel separated.
“Bringing the local businesses down to University Avenue is a way that we’re able to show the first years what we have in Kingston,” she said.
Pam’s Flower Garden is the longest-standing business within the Sidewalk Sale, having taken part for 40 years. Its booth featured a wide selection of plants and was filled with students shopping for their dorm rooms.
“We can support the students, and they can support local businesses,” said Anna Ribey, a florist with Pam’s, in an interview with The Journal. “I’m meeting so many new people and learning so much more about Queens. […] I’m having lots of fun here.”
Orientation leaders Soha Naseer and Avery Fletcher, both ArtSci ’29, spoke spoke with The Journal about the event. They said they had a great experience during their orientation and with their first-year group.
“There’s a lot of good resources,” Fletcher said. She learned about clubs and other resources through the event last year and continues to find it especially helpful for first-year students.
Deborah Xi, ConEd ’29, and Beatrice Loken, ArtSci ’29, echoed similar sentiments when interviewed by The Journal.
“I’m loving it. Lots of freebies and lots of people,” Loken said. “There’s like a lot of free food and free drinks, so it’s like a nice little pick-me-up.”
They noticed the event seemed livelier this year and more first years in attendance.
As students continued to take in the festivities, others found ways to contribute to the event themselves.
Issac Ng, HealthSci ’29, was hosting a booth giving out free haircuts as part of an initiative called ‘Beyond the Chair’ with fellow student Rakin Riaz, HealthSci ’29.
“We wanted to start an initiative to kind of give back to the community but also blend barbering with initiatives that we’re passionate about,” Ng said.
They’re planning fundraising events in November for men’s physical and mental health, and in February to support cancer research through a partnership with Relay for Life.
Through their work, they’ve found it to be a great way for people to feel comfortable and make connections.
“The reason why we started this is because we both found that through haircuts, a lot of conversations were cultivated that were very meaningful,” he said. “We want to use our passion for barbering to bring people together and support the community.”
Sidewalk Sale was followed the next day by Queen’s in the Park, where booths are focused less on Kingston businesses and more on clubs and other groups at Queen’s.
Tags
Asus, orientation, Sidewalk Sale
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