By Hannah Lundquist —
“Trick or Treat!” This sound could be heard all throughout North Campus last week on Oct. 28 as kids of all ages ran around the residence halls asking for candy.
For the last 18 years this sound has been heard as North Campus residents take on trick-or-treaters. The event took place a few days before Halloween so that kids could have another chance to wear their costumes. There were also games set up in all of the halls for them to play as they ran between rooms asking for candy.
So many kids were dressed up and they were all so excited! Their smiling faces were contagious to many of the North Campus residents who handed out candy.
Jillian Hanne, a resident of Hovlid Hall, said she was very excited going into the event to see all of the kids dressed up; she even decided to put on a costume as well and dressed up as a cat. Lyndsey Lloyd, another Hovlid Hall resident, was also excited about all the kids that would be coming to her door; her only concern was that she might run out of candy.
They were not the only ones with something to say about the event. Ben Markl, the Red Cedar Hall director and coordinator of the event, said, “Area children can trick-or-treat in a safe and secure environment, and it’s an opportunity for our students to give back and build a positive relationship with the community.”
Over the last 18 years, this event has only grown more and more popular. It was projected that there would be over five hundred children attending the event and over one thousand North Campus residents handing out candy, not including any of the parents that were accompanying the kids.
The event also included some staff and volunteers stationed around the building to help the event run smoothly. In true Halloween fashion, everyone was dressed up, which really added to the atmosphere. You could see the enthusiasm around the halls as volunteers cheered for the kids playing the games and helped them with their activities.
This event not only brings together parents and kids to have another night of trick-or-treating, but also allows for University of Wisconsin–Stout students to get involved in the Menomonie community.
This is a yearly event and volunteers are always welcome. As this event continues into the future, it will hopefully be just as successful as this year, if not more.