Halloween weekend, or Halloweekend, is a time students anticipate as one of the most exciting nights of the semester. Costumes and cans will flood the halls of dimly lit Fraternity houses as students celebrate the holiday. With the 31st of October landing on a Thursday this year, students have been questioning when people will be celebrating.
Initially, students were planning on celebrating Halloween Oct. 25 and 26, but due to popular vote, the party will continue on to the following weekend.
Instagram account Barstool Kent State posted, “The town and bars will be celebrating the 26, but with popular demand, Barstool will keep the 31st to the 2nd as the official weekend.”
Sophomore and fraternity vice president of Tau Kappa Epsilon Aidan Blackburn said they are planning to have a party the first weekend, but they are unsure about the following.
“We are throwing our regular party, ‘Saturdays are better at Kent,’ on Oct. 26,” he said. “It’s undecided if we are throwing on Nov. 1 because of the possible safety hazards for that night.”
Freshman fashion merchandising major Ava Trainer shared when she plans on celebrating Kent State’s Halloweekend.
“I think if everyone also does Halloween the 25th through 27th that’s cool, but I am just celebrating the 31st through 2nd because I feel like it is not worth two full weekends,” Trainer said.
For the festivities this year, students have planned out several different costumes. Trainer talked about how she organized her outfits.
“I usually like to plan my costumes out, who I am going with and what days we will be celebrating,” she said. “I plan my costumes around what I am doing that day, so I can make sure it is practical and I will be comfortable.”
While Halloweekend is fun, feeling safe and relaxed is most important. Blackburn shared TKE’s new safety protocol for their party.
“We do not expect a large attendance this year because of our new risk policy. Brothers don’t invite guests because they need to keep it safe,” he said.
Another big part of staying careful for TKE is placing their members in different spots throughout the house to ensure a fun evening.
“We have to choose what brothers are best in strategic spots in the house for any possible scenario,” Blackburn said. “Front door guys need to be stern and well spoken. Whereas the guys in the basement need to be able to not be distracted.”
Trainer shares how she plans on staying guarded this Halloweekend.
“Regarding safety, don’t drink and drive, stay in groups and pay attention to your surroundings,” she said.
Halloweekend will not be the last of the excitement. TKE plans to continue the party in the following weekends.
“We may be having a party with Phi Kappa Tau next door to us in the coming weeks,” Blackburn said. “It will be a general social mixer with Delta Tau Delta, Phi Gamma Delta and Sigma Delta.”
With the Halloweekend parties spanning over two weeks, students will need to be cautious of their surroundings.
“People may come from other schools to vandalize,” Blackburn said. “You must stay in big groups, not even just two people. It can be a dangerous and fun weekend, but it makes me nervous because I have seen what can happen.”
Savannah Carroll is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected]
