Best of
Florida Schools 2004
Best Halloween Events
Best Halloween Events
Creepy Crawly Campus Coeds
There’s one night a year when freaks and ghouls prowl the streets, terrorize
helpless citizens, and invade random homes—Halloween. Although everyone has
a different way of celebrating this harrowing holiday, you can guarantee
that candy and costumes will always play a major role, especially on
campuses throughout Florida.
Students at the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale take to the streets and strut their stuff in an annual Halloween parade. But this is no ordinary baton-twirling, Sousa-playing march—students create elaborate floats out of Publix shopping carts. “We just wanted to do something really different and creative because we’re an art school,” says Director of Student and Alumni Relations Joel Nemes.
Three 8-foot blow-up floats of Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, and a ghost led last year’s 15-float procession. Different student organizations were invited to participate, adding colorful floats like the International Club’s India-inspired creation. More than 50 costumed students and faculty members flanked the floats as the cavalcade made its way up Ft. Lauderdale’s 17th Street, a major thoroughfare. “It’s the only event in town that actually stops traffic on this street,” Nemes says. “Cars stop and truckers blare their horns in support.”
Although AiFL’s parade does toss out some candy to bystanders, students at Flagler College take this idea to the next level—they provide an entire breakfast. But, they put a twist on this traditional morning meal by hosting it at midnight on Halloween. “It’s one of our most popular events,” says Crystal Hill Student Government President. “It’s a great post-event for students who have spent the night out on the town.”
A slew of crazy characters, from Oompa Loompas to the Cowardly Lion, show up to dine on biscuits, gravy, eggs, bacon, and more. Besides satiating horrific appetites, the breakfast also serves as a safe alternative for students who have been drinking, Hill says. “Instead of driving home or passing out, students can wear off that alcohol by eating and dancing in a safe environment,” she says.
While it’s nice to provide Halloween fun for your peers each year, many colleges have opened their doors to spook the entire community. Florida Atlantic University—Jupiter’s SG and office of residential life invite youngsters from a shelter for abused and neglected children to enjoy their three-story “Haunted Hall.” About 500 guests, including families, couples, and FAU students, attended last year’s event, braving specters like Freddy Kruger and Hannibal Lector.
After the haunted house, kids went trick-or-treating nearby in another residence hall. “We wanted to give the children a safe, fun Halloween,” says Rachel Weaver Assistant Director for Housing and Residential Life. “Many of them have been removed from their homes and wouldn’t be able to trick-or-treat otherwise.”
Rollins College students decided to go the extra mile to please kids and adults alike by hosting a Halloween carnival. Various student organizations created about 20 booths, which included games like Ghost Bowling, Monster Mash, and the classic Ring Toss. Other attractions were four haunted houses and six “not-so-scary” houses for the younger children. “This way parents can determine what level of fright is appropriate,” says Jeff Cooper Assistant Director of Residential Life. “We just want everyone to have a fun, safe time.” While student guides led hundreds of squealing children through the houses, their guardians relaxed and enjoyed refreshments at the Parents’ Reception.
Volunteers at Barry University’s Halloween event prefer to shock their guests below ground—in the depths of a residence hall basement. In the last decade, strange sights and noises sparked rumors that the space was haunted, says Francisco Duque, media relations coordinator. Clutching a lead rope, groups of five children brave the darkness, neon lights, cobwebs, and random shrieks. In its 11th year, the “Haunted Basement” scared silly more than 500 guests with a barrage of monsters, witches, and goblins.
Seeking a more creative bent for their Halloween event, Saint Leo University students contrived a demented character to entertain their guests. First, tour guides led children of all ages to trick-or-treat stations and decorated residence hall lounges for some pre-fright fun. Then, the real tour began. “Children are led over this wooden bridge by a storyteller,” says Catherine Hopkins Student Government Union President. “They’re told a story of how a biology professor went insane and massacred all the students to use their bodies for experiments.” As they traverse the haunted halls, thrill-seekers encounter wandering zombies and mischievous monsters. Once they reach the end of the tour, a door flies open to reveal the mad professor covered in blood and operating on a student with a huge butcher knife—not exactly child’s play. “We set a limit on ages this year,” says Ingrid Gonzalez, assistant director of the office of residence life. “Many children get quite frightened, and a few tears were shed the first year.”
By Chelsea Greenwood
Contact Nemes at jnemes@edmc.edu, Hill at chill@flagler.edu, Weaver at rweaver@fau.edu, Cooper at william.j.cooper@rollins.edu, Hopkins at catherine.hopkins@saintleo.edu, or Gonzalez at ingrid.gonzalez@saintleo.edu.
Copyright © 2006 Oxendine Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved
