Valentine’s Bingo attracted friends and lovers alike Thursday, Feb. 11 for a night of luck.

Lights shed a rosy glow over the Ceddia Union Building multipurpose room, inviting a large crowd into the room. Groups sat at long tables scattered with candy and rose petals, chatting and laughing happily. There was a hint of excitement as people flipped through their booklets of bingo cards, ready to get their heads in the game.

Some found their seats early, while others were attracted to the candy bar in the middle of the room. Students grabbed handfuls of candy from glass dishes, filling up plastic cups with sugary delight. Featuring Valentine’s candy corn, chocolates and spicy red gummies, the sweets disappeared quickly under speedy hands.

Students could be seen eyeing the numerous prizes sitting on the stage. Ranging from gift cards to a single-serve coffee maker, there was something to please everyone. Some were practical, such as a basket filled with Shippensburg University apparel. Others were more extravagant, like tickets to a Miami Heat vs. 76ers basketball game. No matter the prize, however, students were eager for their turn to claim one.

Soon, it was time for the game to begin. The first number was called and the blotting began.

As each round progressed further, silence fell upon the room. Students anxiously stared down the final square they needed to win. Finally, a number was called and a loud “Bingo!” could be heard from across the room.

A few students cheered and clapped while others moaned in frustration. The winning student walked to the front of the room, claiming the prize with glee.

Students talked excitedly at the beginning of each round, laughing as they eagerly searched their boards for the called number. Many could be heard discussing their plans for Valentine’s Day.

Freshman, Illysha Dejesus planned to spend the day snow tubing.

“My boyfriend is in another state, so that’s pretty much it,” Dejesus said.

Kyle Gearity, a visiting student from Penn State Mont Alto, had a different plan for Valentine’s Day.

“I’m dragging my girlfriend to see ‘Deadpool,’” Gearity said.

Most of the rounds had normal bingo rules, but two special rounds mixed up the game. One round, called picture frame, required the entire outside border of a card to be filled for a bingo. The second special round required a giant “X” pattern in the middle of the card to win.

The grand prize of the night featured two tickets to see Ludacris at Heiges Field House in March. The room was nearly silent as everyone held their breath, hoping to be the last winner of the night. A final “Bingo!” rang out and the winner walked to the front to claim their prize, the crowd cheering and sighing collectively.

Leaving with prizes in hand or hand-in-hand with an admirer, the crowd left Valentine’s Bingo with a fun start to the affectionate holiday.

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