With finals fast approaching, students took a break from class and gathered on the UA Mall for Water Park Day on Wednesday.

Students played on slides and hopped on a bungee trampoline during the free event sponsored by Wildcat Events Board. Snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn snacks were also available for attendees.

Students weren’t the only ones who stopped by the event, as Beati Deutsch, a parent and the educational coordinator at Jewish Arizonans on campus, brought her children to the event as well.

“Obviously it’s meant for college students since the slides are big, and my kids are a little scared,” Deutsch said with a laugh. “But it looks really nice.”

Although certain attractions from last year, like the mechanical surfboard, didn’t return, WEB said it saw this as an opportunity to save money.

Despite the changes, attendance increased by about 200 students, according to Jocelin Calcagno, Wild Nights director and a public health sophomore.

The event’s success last year prompted WEB to spend $4,500 of the organization’s funds for this year’s event, said Kayla Fiore, director-elect of Wild Nights for WEB and a music freshman.

Despite the significant turnout, some students said they felt the hours were a major drawback and that they would have preferred for the event to fall on a weekend.

“The weather’s nice and it’s a good event to have right before finals,” said Alina Taylor, a music education freshman, who also said she took advantage of all the slides. “I do wish it was for a longer amount of time.”

Due to the Event Planning schedule, reservations for the Mall were limited, according to Calcagno. However, the event still provided students with a break from studying.

“Things like this really make me love college,” said Zontaj Tucker, a psychology junior. “It was my motivation to get through class.”