One of my favorite things about Naz is that there is always something to do on-campus, and Halloween is certainly no exception! Although this candy-fueled holiday only happens once a year, here at Naz, the Halloween festivities last for over a week. From pumpkin carving, to Ghost Tours, to Halloween Grocery Bingo (AKA, Ghostry Bingo), Halloween at Naz is one of the best times of the year- and this year’s line-up of events was no exception!
FrightFest, a series of events organized and sponsored by the Campus Activities Board (CAB for short), kicked off a week before Halloween. The festivities began on October 22nd, with a pumpkin painting and carving party, complete with Halloween snacks and apple cider. CAB purchased 100 pumpkins for the event, and students got creative with their pumpkins using carving tools, paint, sharpies, and glitter.The next day, a group of students – who were much braver than I – ventured off-campus to see Halloween (2018) at Regal Cinemas.
Friday really got students into the Halloween spirit with CAB’s Creepy Carnival. The event featured a Halloween photo booth, a student psychic, DIY tarot cards, and a mechanical pumpkin, which is exactly what it sounds like: a mechanical bull, but it’s a pumpkin. Saturday got even spookier with Ghost Tours. Students braved the dark and rainy evening to go on tours led by Jamie Fazio, Naz’s Catholic chaplain, to learn about the ghost history of Nazareth College. The tours travelled through spaces rarely seen by students, such as the attic of the library, and the abandoned fourth floor of Medaille Hall. Rumor has it the ghost of Agnes, a deceased Sister of St. Joseph, can still be seen around campus late at night…
After a spooky, rainy Ghost Tour, students were able to go warm up and enjoy some more lighthearted Halloween fun at the annual Spooktacular Soiree! Clad in their best costumes, students enjoyed a live student DJ, tasty food, tons of candy, and a raffle. But CAB’s Halloween plans didn’t end there! On Sunday, students put their skills to the test in two Halloween-themed Escape Rooms on-campus, and then headed outdoors for a bonfire with apple cider and donuts.
After a long Halloweekened, CAB brightened up a rainy Monday by giving out free Halloween cookies in academic buildings. Later in the afternoon, offices throughout the Shults Center handed out free candy to Naz trick-or-treaters. You’re never too old to get some free candy!
On the eve of Halloween, CAB partnered with LASMA (Spanish Club) to kick off the celebration of Día de los Muertos, a Mexican holiday dedicated to remembering loved ones who have passed away. At Coco & Cocoa, attendees tried traditional Mexican hot chocolate and learned about Día de los Muertos from LASMA representatives, and then enjoyed a showing of Disney Pixar’s Coco!
At last, Halloween had arrived! But what could possibly top the previous week’s worth of events? A Naz classic: Grocery Bingo! Grocery Bingo is one of Naz’s most popular events, in which students play bingo to win grocery items. Trust me, you would be surprised to see how competitive college students get over a game of bingo. Halloween Grocery Bingo, cleverly referred to as Ghostry Bingo, is even more exciting than usual, because students come in costume! There’s truly no better way to end Halloween than taking home a bag full of candy and fall-themed groceries.
So, if you’re a fan of Halloween, then Naz is definitely the place to be from October 22nd-31st. If you’re not a fan, then Naz’s FrightFest might just change your mind!