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With their faces covered in whipped cream as they eyed their opponents, Hamilton Mayor Margaret Miller, ������ students, and local community members sat side by side in a race to finish their pie first.

The Gate-Town Connection brought these various people from the community together on Whitnall Field on April 13. The crowd listened to music, shared food, played, and conversed on the sunny, 70-degree Sunday. This was the fourth year of the festival, which aims to strengthen the connection between the ������ and Hamilton communities.

The event was started by Jordan Sheiner ’12, a member of the . This year’s head organizers, John Lee ’15 and Tyler Mark ’15 (also members of the BDS), worked with the athletics department and the Hamilton Business Alliance to continue the tradition.

������ students manned stations for moon bounces, sumo wrestling, and an inflatable race course. The university’s varsity athletes hosted kickball, tug-of-war, face painting, and relay races.

“It’s great to see the kids interact with students,” enthused Lee.

After working up an appetite, the community enjoyed food from the Hamilton Eatery and an ice cream truck. While waiting in line, people could view photographs taken by members of the Photography Club that were on display.

All of these activities brought smiles to people’s faces, but the highlight? “Definitely the pie-eating contest!” said Lee.

Competitors of all ages sacrificed their stomachs to take their place at the long table of pies. The animated crowd cheered on contestants as they chowed down, and the winners received prizes from Hamilton businesses.

“[We as] students can do more to show town residents that we value having them as neighbors,” said Lee ’15. “We’ve been lucky that the town and students recognize the event and look forward to it each year.”