Late Knights hosts Daytona 500 themed event

Students raced around the Student Union Friday as Late Knights hosted Race Knights from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. as an alcohol free alternative of entertainment.

The Daytona 500 themed event featured betting on televised horse races, racing arcade games, and bathtub and toilet seat motorized race cars on a track in the Pegasus Ballroom. NASCAR even had representatives tabling at the event.

"I've been volunteering for Late Knights a few times over the last two years," said junior medical sciences major Brittany Charles. "I love getting to talk to all the people who come to the events."

Volunteers wear Late Knights shirts to stand out and help set up, supervise activities, and clean up the event according to the three-hour shift they work.

There were multiple organizations tabling during the event such as Volunteer UCF, Kaplan, Health Services and the Student Labor Action Project.

GameStop was tabling as well and brought Dance Central on the Kinect, Marvel vs. Capcom 3, and Rock Band 3 for students to play on a stage.

"My favorite part of Late Knights is playing all the games," said junior game design major David Schiff.

In front of the union was an inflatable slide, texting and driving simulator, and tricycle course that students had to perform while wearing goggles that make vision similar to a driving under the influence of alcohol.

Late Knights Director Jerry Estrada has been working for with the program for three years.

"We average around 2,000 students at each event," said junior event management major Estrada. "It's just great to see so many students here enjoying themselves without alcohol."

Late Knights is open to the public, and students can get 1000 Link loot for swiping their student ID at the event.

In addition to all the racing activities there was a sand art station where students could make necklaces, a photo opportunity, and a station where students could design their own street sign.

"I like that all the activities they have gets you physical," said freshman nursing major Rosebeth Serjilus. "It's a good alternative to going out."

Aramark catered the event and at midnight served pizza bites, macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders and lemon bars. Smoothie King also handed out free smoothies earlier in the evening.

Late Knights has been offering alcohol free events for students for six years and began as a staff run event that is now run entirely by student volunteers. Students interested in volunteering for a shift during a Late Knights in the future can visit the website at lateknights.getinvolveducf.com.

There are about four Late Knights each semester, usually once a month. The next Late Knights will be War and Peace themed on March 18 on Memory Mall.