Jessica Artl, freshman zoology major, Erin Wood nursing major and Calin Owens graphic design major decorate pumpkins at Fall Fest in Stewart Hall in Small Group.

Credit: Steve Schirra

Orange and black streamers adorned Stewart Cafe’s doorway yesterday as Michael Jackson’s hit song “Thriller” rang out, greeting hungry diners in search of dinner.

Keeping with the holiday spirit, Stewart Cafe’s employees hosted Fall Fest last night, offering students a special buffet of festive foods and activities.

Menu items included carved roast beef, cranberry-stuffed chicken breast, scalloped potatoes and a dessert bar.

For $12.95, students could gather as much as they wanted one time through the buffet line, said Kathy Samaco, Dining Services general manager, who came dressed as a witch.

Students dressed in their Halloween gear to compete in a contest for the scariest, most creative, most unusual and cutest costumes.

Junior art education major Abby Costilow came dressed as Frollo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

“My friend invited me, and I heard about the costume contest,” Costilow said.

Costilow, a Verder Hall resident, said she was happy with the festive evening, but thought the food selection should have had more variety.

“I think it’s really a great idea,” she said. “But there is definitely not enough vegetarian options.”

Cornbread or a wider selection of grilled vegetables would have been good options, Costilow said.

Freshman nursing major Brittney Schuster said she enjoyed the dinner and the overall atmosphere of the evening.

“I think it’s very good – it gets everyone in the Halloween spirit,” she said. “The food was really good.”

Schuster, a resident in McSweeney Hall, participated in the pumpkin painting.

Along with the pumpkin painting and the costume contest, students were able to make their own caramel apples.

Ashley Fraser, sophomore psychology major and Stewart Cafe employee, came dressed as a school girl and worked the register during dinner.

“I think it was a really good idea,” she said. “I’m sad they didn’t do it last year when I was a freshman.”

Samaco said she didn’t think Fall Fest would have been successful without all the staff’s hard work.

“They are simply dedicated to this – they went all out,” she said. “We’ve been planning this for weeks. They put their heart and soul into it and their creativity.”

Contact room and board reporter Stephanie Park at [email protected].