Stan State offers several activities for students and community members to enjoy and get into the festive fall spirit, from a Spooktastic Warrior Wednesday to a special Halloween-themed showcase at the campus library.
The Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) invites the community to “Step into the shadows of history this Halloween.” The event will be held on the third floor of the J. Burton Vasche Library, and will feature candy, sweets and refreshments.
It will take place on Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with several themed rooms as part of the experience.
One room will have a masquerade theme, featuring an authentic masquerade ball invitation from the SCUA. The two collections that will be displayed during the haunted open house are the Hill’s Ferry collection and the Hutchings-Newsom collection.
Archivist Mary Weppler explained her role at Stan State and the upcoming displays in the library.
“As an archivist, I handle all the different areas of managing the collections,” Weppler said.
“We’re going to have materials from Hill’s Ferry and the collection that we’re featuring right now on the third floor, which is the Hutchings-Newsom collection. This is a collection between family members and friends between 1813 to 1912.” she explained.
Weppler also described some of the other attractions that will be part of the event.
“We are going to have a haunted masquerade ball in one room; we have a masquerade ballroom invitation from the Hutchings-Newsom collection. We’re going to have moving projections with witches and ghosts, and several artifacts from Hill’s Ferry and the University Archives,” Weppler said.
Attendees can even catch a glimpse of the head of the hawk, Stan State’s former mascot.
Code Red Entertainment (CRE) has several fall events planned for October.
CRE works with the Student Center events programming group to host activities for students. The organization is made up of student volunteers passionate about building school spirit and community.
On Oct. 22, CRE is hosting a Spooktastic Warrior Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the quad, with multiple festive fall games for students to play.
CRE is also hosting another seasonal event during Warrior Wednesday on Oct. 29 in the quad, where students can decorate pumpkins between classes.
Jose Castanon (Junior, Physical Science Major) the Warrior Wednesday Student Coordinator, shared his excitement.
“This October, students can look forward to a variety of exciting CRE events filled with festive fall fun! From hands-on DIY activities, seasonal treats, and lively yard games on the Quad lawn, there are great ways students can stop by to relax, connect with friends, and see what CRE has to offer,” Castanon said.
Students interested in joining Code Red Entertainment can speak with members in the quad or apply through the Stan State website under Event Programming.
Trick-or-Treating will also take place in the library and at participating locations around campus this year on Friday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
The first Stan State library Trick-or-Treating event was held in October 2021. Margarita Zamora-Saunders, Outreach & Inclusivity Librarian, reflected on organizing that inaugural event.
“It was during the pandemic, and students were sitting around the library with a mask on. It was really low engagement; most students were attending classes online remotely. I got a few people in the library to dress up and do reverse trick-or-treating,” Zamora said.
This year, 19 departments will participate in the Halloween festivities. A map of participating departments will be posted on the library website.