The annual Strawberry Jubilee kicked off in the Student Union Ballroom this year at 11 a.m. Miss Southeastern 2012, Jennifer Jarreau, a sophomore education major and Dr. Marvin  L.Yates cut the cake to signify the beginning of the strawberry celebration.

 “I thought it was an awesome experience. I’m so glad I had the chance to do it,” said Jarreau of the cake cutting and her participation in Strawberry Jubilee. “There are so many people out here today and everybody is having a good time.”

Hundreds of students poured in during the lunch hour to receive free red beans and rice as well as strawberry-topped cupcakes. Faculty and staff stopped in to enjoy the free celebration as well. The Campus Activities Board (CAB) annually hosts the event, and this year was no exception.

New to the Strawberry Jubilee this year was a photo booth sponsored by CAB and managed by Shutter Lab Photo Booth. Shutter Lab is a locally owned photo booth company that specializes in special events, birthday parties, corporate events, weddings and Greek events. Props were provided for students to take silly pictures with their friends.  Students were able to receive two sheets each with four pictures on each free of charge.  

“We do weddings, surprise birthday parties, Greek events, corporate events for large companies and Mardi Gras Balls,” said Charlotte Lyons, who was present from Shutter Lab Photo Booth assisting students with the photos.

Shutter Lab Photo Booth can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shutterboxpb.

The annual strawberry eating contest was held in the ballroom this year as well.  Students were asked to sign up and the competition was separated between males and females.  Forrest Duplantier, a freshman business management major, won the contest for the males, eating around 30 to 35 strawberries.

“I did a pie eating contest before,” said Duplantier about his practice for the strawberry-eating contest. “But I didn’t really eat competitively. It was more along the lines of I was in the contest. I just wanted to eat pie.”

The winner of the female’s strawberry eating contest was also a Business Management major. Senior Danielle Parker took the title and bragging rights.

“I did the strawberry eating contest last year and lost,” said Parker.

The Strawberry Jubilee lasted until 2 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom. For more information about other upcoming CAB sponsored events, visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CABSLU.