Students past and present came together Saturday night for an event nearly as old as the university itself.

Starvation Gulch has changed over the years, but it still gives students a reason to socialize around bonfires and enjoy the UAF community.

The annual event, sponsored by the Student Activities Office with the help of various student organizations around campus, celebrated its 83rd anniversary.

It originally had to do more with food and less with burning pallets and destroying cars. Students and faculty would assemble in front of the Patty Center, and faculty would bring food to give to the students. As the event grew in size, it was relocated to the Taku Parking Lot.

The mood coming from the crowd was taut with excitement.

"I'm feeling the vibe, the energy…and the heat!" exclaimed Brian Lyke, a freshman staying in Skarland Hall.

Student orientation leaders built a pallet stack with their logo this year. Lathrop Hall, Stevens Hall, the Moore-Bartlett-Skarland Complex, Sigma Phi Epsilon, the Honors Society and the UAF Fire Department also made stacks.

The Greek Life stack was small but respectable, topped off by a sign for Scott Kawasaki, a Democratic candidate for the state House of Representatives.

Students from different organizations around campus volunteered to help out with running the event. Sigma Sigma Sigma, a sorority on campus, sold caramel apples for $3 each. Alpha Phi Omega, the service fraternity on campus, volunteered to help watch the fence that separated the students from the fire.

Even the northern lights showed up for the party, shining in the sky.

"This is the best northern lights so far this season," said Tim Barnett, Vice Chancellor of Student and Enrollment Services.

The fire-spinners were present, once again amazing students with their skills. At one point they had a crowd unto their own, away from the main bonfire.

"[This year is] better than the last three years," said Anthony Strong, a student known around campus for his fire-spinning proficiency. "Our fire-spinners are an excellent group."

For $1 a minute, students could release some excess energy by smashing a car. Students eventually flipped the car over and tore the steering wheel off the steering column.

"I think its dead," a student could be heard saying.

To ensure the safety of the event, the fire department brought down a 3,000-gallon fire truck with various support vehicles.

"Our main hazard is once the pallets are lit, to keep people away," said Battalion Chief Phillip Rounds. "Before we light the pallets, we do a safety inspection, and we have firefighters on hand in their full turn-out."

As is tradition, the chancellor lit the stacks of pallets. The fire department gave Chancellor Steve Jones a jacket and helmet to wear in case of any mishaps.

Vice-Chancellor Jake Poole said three years ago Jones nearly burst into flames when a back-draft occurred while lighting the pallets.

"I think someone even got a picture of it," Poole said.

Around 11 p.m., ASUAF President Sven Gilkey announced that Starvation Gulch was officially over. People began milling and staggering back to their cars and dorms.

As Starvation Gulch is tradition, onlookers included not just current students but also alumni.

"I come to Starvation Gulch every year," said Darryl Lewis, who graduated from UAF in 1988.

Asked about how much Starvation Gulch has changed in the past twenty years, Lewis chuckled, "We used to be able to get away with a lot more."