Zurowski, a longtime patron of Mac’s Bar, decided to wear his penguin costume to both block the stage to protect performers at the event and “raise penguin awareness,” he said.

“Adult Swim is a fish tank of writers … that come up with great stuff,” Zurowski said.

Associate Promotions Manager Edward Poole said Adult Swim was excited to come to Lansing.

“We wanted to connect with the college kids around here,” he said. “We’re trying to go to new places.”

One major sponsor of the event was Pizza Hut, which gave out free samples throughout the night. The company encouraged carnival attendees to recall their favorite pizza moments for the camera.

Pizza Hut plans to choose a winner and recreate his or her memory for a commercial to air on Adult Swim.

Lansing Community College student Gianni Risper received a flyer from Mac’s Bar a week ago and decided to attend.

“I came out for a day of fun,” he said.

Risper participated in a number of games including Oh Yell No, in which volunteers competed for the longest and loudest screams, as well as Baloonicorn Blowout!, which gave participants the chance to wear a unicorn horn and jump to pop balloons on the ceiling.

The carnival featured the band Washed Out from Atlanta, where Adult Swim is based.

“Last summer I did a song for Adult Swim and they invited (the band) to play,” said Ernest Greene, Washed Out vocalist.

Risper appreciated the diversity of entertainment.

“It’s cool that bands come here from other places,” Risper said.
The carnival received positive results from the community, Poole said.

“It just opened up and we have a long line waiting outside,” he said.

Zurowski said he recognized many of the carnival attendees in the crowd.

“There’s a lot of people from my classes here,” he said. “I recognize a quarter of the crowd.”