Halloween Thing
Just minutes after entering the Haunted Hallway on Saturday morning, dozens of costumed children were sent running and screaming in the other direction.
Strewn with cobwebs, bats and flashing lights, the Haunted Hallway served as the main attraction for the annual Halloween Thing, a free community event held at the College Park Youth and Family Services Center on Nantucket Road. The ghostly corridor was completely designed by university students, a few of whom also donned ghoulish costumes and jumped out to surprise a few unsuspecting hallway-trekkers.
“I just love Halloween, and finding a service project that involves scaring was great,” said freshman psychology major Patrick Maloney, who was responsible for the terror of several children when he jumped out wearing a gorilla mask.
More than 200 children and parents gathered for the festivities, which also featured face painting, roller-skating, arts and crafts, games and plenty of prizes. Volunteers also held a costume parade where children dressed as Marvel superheroes and Disney princesses marched around the center’s parking lot to the Ghostbusters theme song.
“It’s a good community event to get kids out in costumes and have fun,” said longtime volunteer and city resident Jessica Prentice. Prentice added the event also served as a reunion of sorts, as many families that have moved away from the city often return for the Halloween Thing to catch up and have fun.
About 20 costumed student volunteers — including members of the university’s Delta Delta Delta sorority and the CIVICUS living-learning program — helped to run each of the day’s attractions.
“They’re giving to the community, which means so much,” said Peggy Higgins, the center’s director. “It’s wonderful.”
Along with doing community service, several students said they enjoyed getting the opportunity to play with children and learn more about the local community.
“It’s good to get to know the people that live in the community,” senior finance and information systems major Ian Shepherd said.
The event concluded with a raffle for prizes such as comic books, Maryland Book Exchange gift cards and Potbelly coupons. After the raffle, student volunteers handed out goodie bags full of toys and candy to children.
“At our Halloween Thing, everybody’s a winner,” Higgins announced while dressed as a blue M&M.
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