Fall Fest set to color campus
Castleton students may soon find themselves running from zombies, singing along to haunted hits, scavenging for pumpkins, sporting crazy costumes and eating glowing cotton candy.
Various Halloween-themed events will begin on campus from Oct. 30 through Oct. 31, as Castleton’s Residence Life Department will be hosting Fall Fest for the third consecutive year.
“We want to create a programming brand on campus so students know that we may have to make difficult decisions in the residence halls about alcohol and other activities, but we want to show them we are more than just enforcement on campus,” said Director of Residence Life Mike Robilotto.
He’s not the only one with high hopes for these programs.
“I want them to remember the exciting programs Residence Life and Campus Activities Board have put on,” said Area Coordinator Shaun Williams. “I hope for them to meet new people and create lasting memories that they can share with each other.”
At 4 p.m. on Oct. 30, students will register for the zombie run which will kick off at 5 p.m. Participants will be running from zombies while also keeping a look out for hidden prizes around the marked course on campus.
Later on, Haunted Hits Karaoke will be playing in Fireside, which will include pub night as well as prizes. The spotlight will be on Kowboys Karaoke featuring Richard Rooks, who will transform the entire room into a karaoke club type atmosphere with all sorts of tunes filling the air.
“This is a karaoke night done right,” said Area Coordinator Kevin Kareckas.“Karaoke is a blast and I’m excited to have Castleton students see an environment where karaoke is done right.”
The events will carry over into Friday when a pumpkin hunt will jumpstart the day’s events, beginning at 10 a.m. and going until 4 p.m. Prizes will be distributed according to the number on your pumpkin.
As that event trickles down, another will be ready to go. For the second consecutive year, Huden Dining Hall will be filled with music and people dressed up for a costume contest taking place between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
“Last year it was successful. We had over 55 entries,” said Area Coordinator Kristin Helm. “We encourage group, pair, and individuals to participate.”
Prizes will be awarded for the first, second, third and fourth place winners.
“Costumes can be creative, average, homemade or store bought,” Helm said.
But the night doesn’t end there.
Students will be wondering around each residence hall for some good ole fashioned trick-or-treating from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. During this time, from 8 p.m. to midnight, the main events will take place outside of Glenbrook and on the field if weather permits.
West Coast Tacos will have a food truck and 200 tickets will be given away for a free taco or nachos. You will also have a chance to munch on some glowing cotton candy or jump around in a haunted inflatable maze while playing laser tag.
“We want to be creative for our students and want to bring them what they want. If we can bring fun events for our students and they attend and have a good time, then we succeed. It has always been and will continue to be about them,” Williams said.