Spooktacular Fun Had by All

On Friday, October 28, 2016, Concord University held its third annual Spooktacular in the Alexander Fine Arts Center’s Main Auditorium. Spooktacular is a celebration of Halloween and all of its activities.

    Spooktacular is a Halloween event of festivities brought to “The Campus Beautiful” by the Fine Arts department to raise funds for their programs and end-of-year banquet. Tickets were sold at $5 and all benefits went to the music department for their programs. One ticket gained participants access to the haunted hall, concert, and other festivities that happened throughout the evening.

    There was also a pumpkin carving contest, the results of which were announced during the concert. The carved pumpkins were due at 6 p.m. and delivered to the Concord University Fine Arts Box Office. Participants were encouraged to bring pre-carved pumpkins for entry so as to avoid the mess and hassle of carving them on location. They were then displayed during the Spooktacular event where the judging took place at 8 p.m. and prizes were awarded for three categories. The three categories were scariest, most complex and/or creative, and last but not least, prettiest. 

    There was an adult division as well as a children’s division for children twelve years old and under. A $2 entry fee was charged for those who desired to enter and the contest was open to the public. Concord students, faculty, and staff, along with members of the community were invited to enter.

    Attendees were encouraged to wear costumes so as to compete in the costume contest for adults as well as children. Amongst the activities was also a haunted hall in the Alexander Fine Arts Center’s basement and upstairs hallways. After the contests, if the guests thought that they were brave enough, they had the opportunity to walk through the haunted halls for a thrill they were sure to scream for.

    Echoing bellows of tortured screams could be heard throughout the campus of Concord University and the town of Athens. Kimberlin Massie, a Concord University student, warned a captive audience that the haunted halls were so scary, she had literally cried in previous years due to the terror. All participants had to sign waivers before entering the haunted halls. 

    Concord University’s Halloween event featured a concert as well . To set the spooky mood, Concord University’s Concert Band, Collegiate Singers, ConChords, music faculty, and students presented a festive concert.    

    According to Spooktacular goers who had come last year, this year’s Spooktacular had even more attendance than ever before. According to Professor Lindsey Akers, “This year’s Spooktacular festivities included a pumpkin carving contest and concessions were sold. There was a large crowd in attendance for the concert and several attendees came in costume for the costume contest. This event seems to get bigger each year.”

    At this point in the season, more leaves decorate the ground than the branches of their trees. November is here and with it are not so subtle reminders of what comes next. In the near future soft white flake will fall from the sky and create hazardous driving conditions. But for now, we can enjoy the final fruits of fall. In reflection on the Halloween season, Spooktacular shines out like a beacon in the night. Now in early November, the next eleven months are just a waiting game until next year’s Spooktacular.