Courtesy of Sean Elliot
On October 18 and 19, Connecticut College welcomed families and friends for its annual Fall Weekend, a celebration that brings together faculty, staff, parents and of course students. One of the highlights of Fall Weekend was the annual Arbofest, held in Connecticut College’s arboretum, a beautiful, giant park, adjacent to the campus. Here, students and families can enjoy nature and just simply take a break from their daily responsibilities. At this time of the year the Arboretum is especially beautiful, with the trees colored in beautiful red, yellow and brown tones, making it an ideal backdrop for the weekend’s events.
Saturday, October 19, Conn’s arboretum was filled with the vibrant sounds of Arbofest, an outdoor concert hosted by the MOBROC (Musicians Organized for Band Rights on Campus) club. For the first time this year, MOBROC held Arbofest during Fall Weekend rather than later in November. Set among the changing leaves and bathed in the warmth of late summer, the festival showed an extraordinary sense of seasonal beauty and community spirit. Families, students, and faculty gathered with picnic blankets and hammocks, soaking up the sun, the sounds, and the vibrant atmosphere that made the day memorable. With an electric atmosphere and an impressive variety of musical styles, the event became an unforgettable celebration of the talented student bands, nature, and campus life. Even the weather couldn’t have been more ideal. Late-summer warmth filled the air, with clear blue skies and autumn colors decorating the beautiful Arboretum.
One of the standout performances of the day came from Puss n Boots, Conn’s only women’s band, who were making their debut performance in front of a live audience. Despite it being their first live concert, the band delivered a show-stopping set with powerful guitar riffs, bold bass lines, and impressive vocals that had the audience captivated. Puss n Boots performed iconic female hits like “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette. The group took command of the stage with surprising confidence, leaving an indelible mark on those who watched, and quickly winning the admiration of the crowd.
MOBROC Vice President and Puss n Boots member Abby Dawson ‘25 wrote, “In the past we have always done Arbofest after parents weekend, so it was so rewarding to be able to perform for a wider audience. My parents were finally able to see me play in my on-campus band after 4 years! The arboretum was so kind to help us coordinate the event this year, so we really have them to thank.”
The concerts at Arbofest didn’t just stick to one genre, and the student bands offered something for every taste of music—a celebration of all kinds of music. Early in the afternoon, smooth, relaxed jazz melodies set a mellow tone, gradually building to more upbeat performances that had the crowd energized. Later in the day, indie rock filled the Arboretum with soaring guitar solos and powerful rhythms that echoed through the trees, keeping the festival atmosphere electric, as the sun began to set.
As the evening approached and the final notes faded in the golden light of this late summer weekend, it became clear that the Arbofest had created a meaningful moment for everyone who attended. The mix of the student bands’ live music and the Arboretum’s beautiful nature offered a powerful sense of connectedness and community, a feeling that many hope will make its return in the upcoming years. Arbofest provided an unforgettable close to the Fall Weekend, reminding everyone of the special bond that Conn has within its campus community.
