Halloween-inspired events to attend this fall
The Mount Pleasant area will have no shortage of events in the days leading up to Halloween, which falls on Wednesday, Oct. 31 this year.
Halloween is a holiday that dates back to 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, according to Britannica. Ancient Celtics celebrated the end of summer and harvesting on Nov. 1, recognizing it as a transition into the cold, dark winter months.
On Oct. 31, the Celts believed that the lines between the dead and the living were blurred, wearing masks and disguises to fool roaming ghosts and spirits. Today, we celebrate Halloween by dressing up, trick-or-treating or watching spooky movie marathons.
Central Michigan Life has complied a list of spooky and fall-themed events happening on and off Central Michigan University's campus, so that you can make the most of the holiday.
Events include a costume contest at Soaring Eagle Casino with a prize of $5,000, a dog-friendly event at Papa's pumpkin Patch and movie screenings of classic horror films.
On-Campus Events:
Screening of “Frankenstein” (1931)
Time & Date: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 24
Location: Park library Auditorium
The Department of English Language and Literature will host a free showing of the James Whale film, “Frankenstein." Afterwards, film professor Kenneth Jurkiewicz, and English professors JoEllen DeLucia and Jeffrey Weinstock will have a discussion about the film’s significance, according to CMU's website.
Legends of the Dark
Time & Date: 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 - 26
Location: Down Under Food Court
This is the 23rd annual Legends of the Dark haunted campus tour organized by Trout Residence Hall, according to the event’s website. Tours last for an hour and leave every 10 minutes from the Down Under Food Court. Money raised goes towards Trout Hall and its philanthropies. The event costs $4 prior to the event at Trout Hall, and $5 at the door.
Trivia Night: American Horror Story
Time & Date: 8 - 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 25
Location: Ballroom in Powers Hall
CMU's Program Board will be holding a free “American Horror Story” trivia night. According to the CMU website, they recommend arriving 15-20 minutes early in teams of six. Snacks and prizes are provided.
Fall Pumpkin Painting
Time & Date: 1 - 3 p.m. on Oct. 29
Location: Center for Inclusion & Diversity in Bovee University Center
This is the last event in October LGBTQ celebration month, according to the CMU website. Free to attend, there will be painting and crafts.
“Slender Man” Screening
Time & Date: 7 - 9 p.m. on Oct. 30
Location: Room 127 in Pearce Hall
Program Board will host a free showing of the movie, “Slender Man”. According to CMU’s website, popcorn will be handed out.
"A Quiet Place" Screening
Time & Date: 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. on Oct. 30
Location: Wesley at CMU, 1400 S. Washington
Wesley, a CMU Christian community, will be showing the film, “A Quiet Place." According to CMU’s website, the event will be free and pop and popcorn will be provided.
Off-Campus Events:
Mini Masters: Halloween Edition
Time & Date: 5 - 7 p.m. on Oct. 24
Location: Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach of Mid-Michigan
Mini-Masters is a children’s acrylic painting series, according to Stephanie Jackson, education coordinator at Art Reach. This installment will let kids paint pumpkins. The event is $25 for non-members of Art Reach, and $20 for members.
Potions and Poses
Time & Date: 7 - 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 26
Location: Yoga on Main
Yoga on Main will be holding a cider tasting and yoga practice. According to the owner, Allison Miller, there will be hard and non-hard ciders. Wearing costumes is optional. Miller said she wants to bring the community together with the event, which costs $15 to attend.
MAC TV Monster Movie Competition
Time & Date: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 26 and Oct. 29
Location: Celebration Cinema Mount Pleasant
The MAC TV network hosts an annual horror short film competition around Halloween. According to Carey Hammel, their Operations & Administration Director, the films are due by Oct. 26 and the premieres will be on Oct. 29. The films must follow a PG-13 guideline and be under 10 minutes long. It's free to enter and attend the competition.
Boo Bash 2018
Time & Date: 5 - 7 p.m. on Oct. 27
Location: Morey Courts and Mount Pleasant Ice Arena
WCZY radio station is hosting its annual Boo Bash at Morey Recreational Center. According to their website, the event is aimed at children. Local businesses will be having indoor trick-or-treating along with ice skating in costumes. The event is free to attend.
Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum 5th Annual Costume Party
Time & Date: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 27
Location: Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum
The event will be kid friendly and feature a dance competition, eyeball hunt and crafts. According to Jerica Bueche, education coordinator and Youth Advisory Board advisor, they wanted to have an event for kids that wasn't centered around candy. The event costs $5 for members of the museum and $7 for non-members.
Barktoberfest: Pups at the Patch
Time & Date: 1 - 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 28
Location: Papa's Pumpkin Patch
According to the event page on Facebook, there will be a costume contest, snacks, crafts and photo booths. Proceeds go to Humane Animal Treatment Society. It costs $3 to enter a dog into the costume contest.
Halloween Get Down: Flexadecibel Concert
Time & Date: 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 27
Location: Rubble's Bar
Funk-rock band Flexadecibel will be performing at Rubble’s at a 21 and up show. The show will cost $5, according to the Facebook page.
Deadwood Grove: Zombie Escape Room
Time & Date: 6 - 10 p.m. on Oct. 31
Location: Mid-Michigan College – Mount Pleasant Campus
Deadwood grove is organized by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. According to the event's web page, funds raised from this event will go towards student projects. The event costs $10 for adults and $5 for kids.
Centennial Nights: Halloween Costume Party
Time & Date: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Oct. 31
Location: Centennial Hall
Nine bands and DJ’s will be performing at Centennial Hall, according to the event’s Facebook page. Pre-sale tickets cost $10. At the door, they're $12 without a costume and $15 with a costume.
Boos & Beats: A Haunted Walk-through at Centennial Nights
Time & Date: 9:00 - 11:00 p.m. on Oct. 31
Location: Centennial Hall
CMU students enrolled in RPL 430 (Plan Recreation Program & Events) will create a haunted walk-through in multiple rooms at Centennial Hall, according to CMU’s website. Proceeds will go CMU’s new student food pantry. The event costs $2, but is free with a ticket to Centennial Nights costume party.
After Shock Party
Time & Date: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Nov. 2
Location: Ascend Sports Club and Bar at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resorts
According to Soaring Eagle's website, there will be a costume contest, with a $5,000 dollar prize for the winner. There will also be live entertainment and drink specials. The event is restricted to adults aged 21 and up. Its costs $5 with a costume, $10 without one.
