On an unusually warm October afternoon, multiples of Batmans, scarecrows, witches and cowboys lined Campus Walk to fill their plastic pumpkins with candy. “Trick or treat, smell my feet,” an Egyptian princess teased as she reached for a Kit Kat bar. A few feet away an angel giggled and bit into a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.
The costumed characters then flooded into the University Center for UMW’s Pumpkin Palooza on Sunday, Oct. 30. The annual Halloween-themed service day is sponsored by Community Outreach and Resources (COAR) to provide a local safe place for kids to trick or treat.
More than 100 Mary Washington students, including members of six clubs and sports teams, provided plenty of activities for the kids.
“We have 3,000 pieces of candy to give away,” said junior psychology major and COAR member Megan Turner.
The basement of the UC held 10 craft tables, offering face painting, spider hats, lollipop ghosts and much more. It also was the gathering place for the trick-or-treat tours.
The tours left every 30 minutes and stopped at residence halls such as Ball Hall, Virginia Hall, Westmoreland and Madison, where student volunteers handed out more candy.
Among those who attended was grandmother Yvette Mitchel, who brings her two granddaughters every year. Dressed as Miss Mad Hatter and a princess, the girls giggled as cold paint brushed across their faces.
“My oldest is 12 and has been coming to Pumpkin Palooza since she was a baby,” said Mitchel. “We watch for the advertisements every year.”
Freshmen Anna Higginbotham and Sarah Akers, tour guides for the trick-or-treat event, showed off their Halloween spirit by dressing up as a Renaissance girl and a Viking.
“For some kids, trick-or-treating at night can be scary,” said Akers. “Kids deserve a fun and safe Halloween, and that’s what we provide.”
For more information on COAR, visit http://students.umw.edu/coar.
