Ghouls, goblins and the girls of Colby Halloween
By Aaron Kokoruz
Staff Reporter

About 600 children had the chance to take the yellow brick road to a land full of candy, laughs and a few scares as Colby Hall played host to its 31st annual Colby Halloween event Tuesday night.

“I think it’s a good experience for the kids to be on a college campus, as well as with the Colby residents to interact with the community,” said Sarah Board, a Colby resident assistant and senior Spanish major.

Colby residents started decorating Sunday night to prepare for the trick-or-treaters, said Bre’anna Brooks, vice president of Colby Hall Council.

When the trick-or-treaters arrived they were immediately met with popcorn machines, cotton candy and balloons. Once inside, each wing was decorated with a different theme.

Some of the themes this year included Barbie, Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat,” a jungle, the yellow brick road and an extra scary floor for some of the older children, said Brooks, a broadcast journalism major.

Trick-or-treater Chris Graver said he has been a regular at the event for a few years.

“It’s fun and exciting, and the best part is definitely the candy,” said Graver.

In addition to trick-or-treating, children could sit in the lobby around a campfire and listen to ghost stories told by various Colby residents.

The trick-or-treaters included children of faculty and staff and Kinderfrogs students, Brooks said.

Colby budgeted $1,000 out of their programming money for the event this year, said Emily Ward, hall director of Colby Hall.

Maryann Candanosa, a parent at the event, said this was the second year she has brought her children to Colby.

“I love it because it’s good for the kids and a lot safer than going out in the neighborhoods,” said Candanosa.