Trick-or-Treating in Foy

With a perfect fall day, students and local residents enjoyed the festivities on Oct. 26, 2019 for the fifteenth annual residence “Hall-oween.” Dressed up in costumes and dancing with children to the Cotton-Eye Joe, students provided the community with a memorable experience. Marist has a long-standing tradition of celebrating Halloween a week early, and this year was no exception. 

Organized by the Marist College Residence Hall Association and the Office of Housing and Residential Life, the annual trick-or-treat that took place in the Foy and Upper New Townhouse parking lot brought a crowd of local residents. Enjoying the festivities, children ran from tables and townhouses collecting candy and participating in Halloween themed activities. 

The students who made the event possible smiled in their homemade costumes as they painted faces, handed out candy, and danced. Freshman Emily Lees felt exhausted when she finally finished face painting after an hour and a half. Although Lees could barely move her wrist when she finished painting, she smiled throughout the entire event.

“I painted faces for an hour and a half, and it is really fun to come up with ideas and be creative,” said Lees. “Residence Hall-oween is a really sweet idea, and I wanted to help make the kids Halloween a special one.”  

Members of the Residence Hall Council (RHC) Executive Board for Marion Hall and the Resident Advisor (RA) agreed that the event was worth the effort. Beginning preparation on Wednesday Oct. 23, Michael Esteves ‘23, Benjamin Williams ‘23, and RA Allie Texter ‘22  came together to make Pac-Man costumes, buy supplies, and create fun activities for their table. When the table was set up on Saturday, Marion residents were thrilled with the excitement they saw from children. 

“We had to set up the table, paint faces, run our original game of pin the tail on the cat, and make our Pac-Man Costumes,” said Esteves. It was worth it, I like having fun and helping in the community.” 

Williams, the treasurer for the Marion Hall RHC agreed and said, “I had a great time today, it was really fun and I enjoyed making the kids smile.” 

For some families attending Residence “Hall-oween” is a tradition, but for many families, it was a new experience. Nile Clarke a local resident brought her niece to the event and appreciated what students had to offer. 

“The dorms did an exceptional job,” said Clarke. “The students were welcoming and their costumes and house decorations were creative. It was nice of Marist to let the community come onto campus.”

Residence Halloween: Students Give Back to The Community

As the fifteenth year of Residence “Hall-oween” came to an end,  each kid left with a stomach full of candy and a smile on their face.With another year of amazing local turnout, Marist will most likely continue the tradition of the event to keep the students and the community connected. 

If families missed this year’s Residence “Hall-oween,” be sure to look for details next year in October. The event typically takes place from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Foy and Upper New Townhouses. Visitors should park in Parking Lot 14, which is most easily accessed from the campus’s north entrance. A day of free events including face painting, mummy wrapping, pumpkin tosses, and various other Halloween arts and crafts is an amazing way to have a safe and successful family trick-or-treat experience.