As the temperature progressively lowers and the perma-cloud begins to make itself comfortable in South Bend once again, students and faculty at Notre Dame alike prepare to celebrate Halloween season in a variety of ways.
Alicia Bates, assistant director of student programming, said the Student Activities Office has a wide array of Halloween and fall-themed events planned. These events are based off both what has interested students in past years and what reflects the overall mission of the SAO, Bates said.
“Part of SAO’s mission is to enhance the overall student experience through exposure to and participation in recreational and social opportunities,” Bates said in an email. “These events allow students to maintain existing and create new connections.”
To this purpose, this year SAO will be hosting a Thinkfast Halloween Game Show on Thursday from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the LaFortune Student Center Ballroom. The event will provide free pizza and offers a $200 prize for the trivia winner. In the spirit of the fall season, SAO is also hosting a classic murder mystery dinner in the LaFortune Ballroom on Saturday from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
“The murder mystery is your classic ‘whodunit’ with an improv comedy twist,” Bates said in the email.
SAO will also host “iceless skate night” Friday from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Stepan Center. Skateless-skaters can partake in hot drinks and treats from the Beavers Coffee and Donuts food truck, which will be provided.
Bates said these events have been widely attended in the past, and she hopes they will be successful in facilitating a stronger and more connected community at Notre Dame.
“It is our hope that by planning these events during a time when students are looking to celebrate not just a holiday, but a season, we are offering fun and healthy events that assist in creating a community students are looking to be a part of,” Bates said in the email.
Other campus organizations also have Halloween events planned. Student Union Board intends to celebrate Halloween in song by hosting an “aspookicafe” on Thursday from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Hagerty Family Cafe. Filii Mariae has planned an All Saints Halloween party Thursday from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the Knights of Columbus house.
Junior Class Council hosted a Fall Festival in the LaFortune Ballroom on Tuesday, with pumpkin painting and fall-related treats like apple cider, Rise’n Roll donuts, pumpkin pie and candy corn.
Junior Madison Bollenbacher, member of the Health and Wellness Committee on Junior Class Council, said the events were intended to relieve students’ stress in addition to celebrating the season.
“With only around four school weeks left in the semester before exams, this time of year can get really busy and stressful for a lot of students,” Bollenbacher said. “So it’s important to take time out of the day to relax and enjoy the season and spend time with friends.”
Bollenbacher said the event is a way to help students participate in activities they wouldn’t normally get a chance to on campus.
“Most people love autumn and taking part in fall activities, but it can be hard at college if you’re busy and don’t have a car to actually take the time to pick out pumpkins or just enjoy autumn-inspired comfort foods,” Bollenbacher said. “Junior Class Council tries to bring typical fall activities to campus so that more students can spend time together enjoying the short fall season.”
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