Students who attend the Condom Carnival today will not only be able to receive free condoms, but able to talk to local organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, to get information on safe sex to prevent pregnancy and STDs.Along with receiving free condoms and sexual advice students can also play games for chances to win gift cards, candy, and novelties.These are just some of the activities to be held at the Carnival in the Lawrence Hall Ballroom of Point Park University from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., as a kickoff for Sexual Awareness Month.”This event is a chance to empower yourself through education about sexual knowledge,” said Amelia Hogan, community director at Point Park.The Residence Hall Association (RHA) is hosting the event, which is in its second year. Bryanna Kiselauskas, a junior sport, arts and entertainment management major and program coordinator for the event, said that last year’s Condom Carnival was successful and that approximately 250 to 300 students attended.”Last year people really seemed to enjoy themselves,” Kiselauskas said.The Carnival was originally proposed by a Student Senator, Gaysha Algarin, who is currently taking a semester off.”We want to promote safe sex to students, and bring awareness that STDs are transmitted through sexual intercourse, and we want to kind of just give them sex education,” Kiselauskas said.However, this event is not to encourage sex, but it is “a sexual health promotion event, not a sex promotion event,” Hogan said.”You can’t hide the fact that college students are having sex, so we just want them to be careful and smart about it,” said Hannah Frye, a junior advertising and public relations major and public relations coordinator for RHA.RHA recently bought 1,500 new condoms for the Carnival, so they are assuring students the condoms will be reliable and safe to use.In addition to Planned Parenthood, Pittsburgh Action Against Rape and the Pittsburgh Aids Task Force will be at the Carnival. The organizations will have tables set up where students can get information or advice about safe sex, sexual solutions and the organizations themselves. According to Frye, all of the organizations attending are expected to give away condoms to students along with information pamphlets.Students will have the chance to play games such as Condom Pong and blackjack, which will use condoms in place of poker chips. Upon winning a game, students will receive a condom or a raffle ticket. The raffle tickets can be used for a chance to win gift cards, movies and novelties.The grand prize of the evening is a $50 gift card and there will also be three $25 gift cards given away. Where these gift cards are to were not disclosed. The prizes were purchased from adultmart on Boulevard of the Allies, whichinclude “love dice” and lubricant.”All of the students will receive condoms in their ‘goodie bag’ when they arrive. For some games, they will win candy, others condoms.” said Frye. “Or they can choose which prize they would rather have. The games are very simple so everyone should be walking away with free condoms or some candy.”RHA encourages all students to attend the Carnival.”It’s a night to be silly, and not make light of a serious subject, but take the embarrassment out of a serious subject,” Frye said.Kiselauskas also included that besides all of that “it’s free, and it’s just a night to have fun and get away from school work.”