Halloween – the most fun time!
Trick or Treat Then…
As a kid, I would race home from school so my mom could throw together some sort of costume for me, then I’d rush to meet my friends to go freely and fearlessly trick-or-treating. Somehow, by the time I had my own kids, Halloween included so much more! We were carving pumpkins, putting up decorations, and designing or buying more elaborate costumes. The ultimate goal was a whole night spent trick-or-treating throughout the entire neighborhood, with the ever-present parent escort, of course.
…And Now.
Halloween traditions in college are a far cry from the pumpkin-carving, candy-apple-making gatherings we hosted in our driveway before the kids started a night of trick-or-treating. Many places, including frats, have a tradition of hosting parties – all week. I’m not going to lie – Halloween at college definitely brings out the BOO in Booze. Keep in mind that Gainesville is a college town, and there will be a lot of Halloween-themed partying going on.
Still, you won’t catch me saying there’s anything wrong with reminding your students of all the less boozy and still enjoyable parts of Halloween. And would a parent be a parent if there wasn’t a small reminder to keep their good judgment about them? It might also come with a hint to be sure they have all their work done before they go, too.
On a lighter note, the UF sororities usually offer a safe alternative to trick-or-treating for the local children called Ghouls, Goblins, & Greeks. Each sorority house decorates using a different theme. Candy, games, and prizes for the children are provided by the sororities and local businesses. It’s usually held on Sorority Row from 5 – 9pm.
A couple of Boos…
- Mount RushGore Virtual 5K Halloween Run – October 1 – November 14. Nothing motivates a quick run better than any of these characters on a dark summer night.
- Gainesville Orchestra presents: Adventure – Friday, October 9, at Curtis M Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Student tickets are only $15 and you will be able to participate using your personal phone in the piece “Secrets of Wind and Birds” by downloading this MP3 file to your phone.
- Boos & Brews at Blackadder Brewing – Monday, October 26, from 6:00pm-9:00pm.
- Rocky Horror Picture Show Event – Saturday, October 31, at the High Dive. Doors to the Beer Garden open at 8:00pm, the Show starts at 9:30pm. Live action skits from local players accompany the cult movie classic.
- Godzilla Movie Marathon at Ocala Drive-In – October 30 through November 5. Pay one low price for five hours of the best Godzilla movies and scare yourself silly!
…And corn mazes, too!
- Coon Hollow Maze – A Micanopy crop maze that includes a tractor trip out to feed the cows. Not-so-scary Halloween happiness, with a schedule that includes weekends from October 9th through November 8th.
- Newberry Cornfield Maze – Laugh by day, scream by night from September 25th – October 31st.
- Rogers Farm Fall Festival – A family owned and operated farm featuring spooky trails or a corn maze, miniature horses, and a pumpkin patch. No promises about the Great Pumpkin showing up, although you can try every weekend from September 27 to October 27 if you like!
Don’t forget to send a little Halloween love by checking out our Halloween gift guide. We’ve got local suggestions as well.
Happy Halloween from HaveUHeard!
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