Nearly 1,500 people  packed the Bobbi Brown & Steven Plofker gym Friday for the annual Organization Fair where 90 organizations and college departments set up tables in order to recruit new members, according to Sharon Duffy, the associate dean of students.

“I couldn’t be happier with the turnout and the thoughtfulness the organizations put into their displays,” Duffy said in a brief interview. “They really put a lot of work into this.”

Freshman Emma Banks, a visual and media arts major, said the whole event was a bit overwhelming.

“It was kind of intimidating, but a good thing to do so you can see all of the things you’ve heard of,” Banks said.

At points during the afternoon, the gym was so crowded that students formed a line that wrapped up and around three stories of stairs, according to Lauren Contard, an orientation leader.

“Very good turnout this year, we were at capacity at one point,” the theater production major said.

Duffy said she thinks the hard work the organizations and departments put into the fair will help make them more successful.

“Because of their efforts I think their memberships will grow significantly,” Duffy said.

Platts can be reached at [email protected] Follow her on Twitter @BarbaraPlatts