The students' union is eager to provide an enjoyable and climactic conclusion to the most difficult of years
Working with our campus partners including Junior Common Room (JCR) Executives, the Colleges, University Retail Services and Facilities, the Union is planning a series of exciting events, to take place at the end of term in Week 31. To that end, we can reveal that we are currently planning:
Picnic by The Pond Saturday 26th June
A showcase of student groups on the fields leading down to Lake Carter; performance stages and activity hubs for 'give it a go' sessions and a socially distanced picnic.
Sports Tournaments Sunday 27th to Wednesday 30th June
The sporting rivalries between the colleges will be reignited with the four-annual college âvarsitiesâ taking place in a celebration of College Sport; Founders, Patriots, Titans, Warriors.
Extravs Thursday 1st to Friday 2nd July
Missed out on last years Extrav's and wondering what all the fuss is about? Curious as to how our end of year parties will take place within the COVID guidelines? We've put together a handy list of FAQs to help answer any questions you may have. Keep an eye on our social media pages for further updates!
Extrav FAQS
Q: What is an Extrav?
A: An Extrav is the biggest Lancaster tradition and the only way to end your year. A huge themed end of year celebration put on by your JCR and Students' Union to end the year surrounded by your mates. You canât spell Extrav without LancasterXVâŚ
Q: When are they?
A: The events will be taking place:
Thursday 1st July: County, Furness, Grizedale, Cartmel
Friday 2nd July: Bowland, Lonsdale, Fylde, Pendle
Q: Whatâs different this year?
A: Moving away from the traditionally late Extrav party, this yearâs will be a more âchilled beach bar party vibeâ with plenty of space for people to sit, relax and enjoy the Lancaster sunshine. The events will start early evening and end by midnight.
To make things COVID-compliant and easier to manage, the events will take place in Lancaster Square, the Bonington Step, Charles Carter Quad and the Alexandra Park Boulevard.
Q: Do I have to do fancy dress?
A: Itâs up to you dress up for your Collegeâs theme but we think overkill is underrated; whether youâre only slipping on some devil horns or covering yourself in face paint to be a Minion or getting your whole flat to dress as the Hogwarts Express, your costumes make the event truly special.
Q: What are the themes?
A: The themes are released in Week 25
Q: When do tickets go on sale?
A: Tickets will be on sale in Week 26 and theyâll be released to College members for their event first. Make sure youâre ready when they go on sale, we sold about 4000 in five minutes last time.
Weâll be sending out full details about ticket sales after the theme release
Q: How will you make it COVID-secure?
A: Track and trace will be in place for the events and regular handwashing and sanitising will be encouraged.
The events previously have had a central stage and hub for the event, the new Extravs will focus on party where you are. The events are taking place in much bigger and more open spaces and will have lots of seating and picnic benches for people to set up camp. It also means we can allocate spaces to social distance, if we need to, but this may limit capacities.
The format of the events has been developed so that spaces could potentially still be used within confines of social distancing but may limit capacities further.
These events will look to maximise the use of outdoor space ensuring that indoor spaces do not further contribute to the spread of COVID-19; this, in turn, increases the likelihood that these events can go ahead. For this reason, planning cannot factor indoor spaces as part of the event spaces. They may well be acceptable to use as bar spaces, click and collect or socially distanced seating and they can be brought into the equation closer to the time.