Sometimes it feels like there is nothing new and exciting to do in West Chester. There are only so many places you can go in the town before it becomes mundane, especially if you are an upperclassman and have been living in this town for a few years. Although the University provides opportunities and events for the students, there has never been an opportunity quite like the one that West Chester University students stumbled upon.
A few years ago, two WCU students contemplated ways to change this feeling of redundancy. Their solution was creating bus trips to various venues including Cosimo Restaurant and Wine Bar, Beat Street Station in Manyunk and McFadden’s in Philadelphia.
Many of these trips have themes such as their “Philly Gear Party,” “Dress to Impress,” “Black and White Party” and their most recent “Halloween Costume Party.” For the low price of $20, students who are 21 and older are entitled to the round trip bus ride, promotional gifts and admission ticket.
Fourth-year student Dave Murray and alumnus Nick Vecchio are the creative minds responsible for these trips. As a result of their creativity they were able to turn an idea into a successful business known as Vivrant Productions.
They specialize in private-themed parties and organized group banquets. Vivrant Productions has now had 15 bus trips for WCU students alone, all in which have sold out. Their trips’s immense popularity has helped them pick up sponsors such as “Luxury Limousine,” “Culinary Deliveries” and “Bud Light.”
“The bus trips started because everyone was complaining about doing the same thing all the time,” Vecchio said. “As a result, we have created a successful company, and now we can compare ourselves to big promoters in Philly.”
Their goal from the beginning was simple: to be able to provide students with a night of memories escaping the monotony of West Chester. Fourth-year sociology major Lindsay Emmons has attended multiple bus trips and plans to attend more in the future.
“Going uptown to West Chester, bars can get old, so it’s nice to have the option of going somewhere new and not have to worry about transportation,” Emmons said.
Alumna Jenn Farruggio looks back at the bus trips with fond memories.
“One of my favorite trips was the ‘Black and White’ themed party because we were able to dress up, and it was an opportunity for everyone to hang out together,” Farruggio said.
For many, these bus trips are often highly anticipated among students as a night they will not forget.
Currently, Vecchio and Murray are looking at larger venues throughout the Philadelphia area that can house more students due to the high demand of ticket sales. Any West Chester student 21 or older can attend these events. For information on this event and other upcoming events check out www.vivrantparty.com.
Murray is majoring in business and public affairs. Murray’s party planning Web site can be found at juiepartypromotions.com.
Vecchio graduated in May 2007 with a major in sociology and a minor in communications studies. He now owns and runs a mobile disc jockey company named Dreamcatcher Disc Jockeys. Currently, he is the Resident Disc Jockey and Special Events Coordinator at Kildare’s in West Chester. For more information on Vecchio, visit his website at dreamcatcherdj.com.
Regan Reber is a fourth-year student majoring in communication studies with a minor in journalism. She can be reached at RR596537@wcupa.edu.