With the glow of neon lights and the sound of clicking rides surrounding him, senior Scott Newland had never been to a non-football Homecoming event before Tuesday night’s carnival – and he said it probably won’t be his last.

“We’ll go to the game, and probably the parade,” said Newland, a political science major.

The carnival brought hundreds of students and Bulls Country community members together from 5 p.m. to midnight at the Meadow near Greek Village on East Holly Drive.

Those who attended enjoyed live entertainment, carnival rides and games. Hamburgers, sodas and rides were free for USF students.

“I’m glad the rides are free, and the food is good,” said April Branl, a junior majoring in nursing.

Held on Halloween, the carnival was host to many families and students dressed in full costume. Pseudo-Fear Factor challenges – some students sucked gummy worms out of bowls of spaghetti – were held on a stage. Students competed for prizes such as gift certificates for bowling.

Many students said they were pleased with all the activities, and although some had not been to a Homecoming event before, they said they might attend others.

Junior Allison Krupp said she is excited to go to the Ludacris concert at the end of the week, as well as the parade.

“I want to see Ludacris in concert,” she said. “I’ve seen him before, and he’s really good.”

The final round of Knowledge-A-Bull, part of the week’s team competitions, was held earlier in the evening, followed by a tug-of-war competition and flag football tournament. Participants in the Knowledge-A-Bull trivia final were asked questions such as “How many students graduated in the first class at USF?” with an answer of 325 in 1963.

Halfway through the event, University Police Department Officer Christopher Migliore said no incidents had been reported.The Homecoming Ball is tonight at 8 in the Recreation Center’s Upper Gym.