How do you plan on celebrating Halloween this year?
“This year I plan on going to Silverman’s Farm and purchasing pumpkins to carve and put candles in, just like I did before going to college,” said senior Hailey King. “I still plan on dressing up, going out, and possibly making some goodie bags for the trick or treaters.”
Some students consider Halloween as a night to go out, dress up and celebrate. Other students plan to relax at home and continue their tradition of watching their favorite Halloween movies.
“One of my favorite Halloween movies is ‘Hocus Pocus,’ and I just watched it recently with my sister when I was home for the weekend,” said junior Isabella Fazio. “It is just a great story with really funny writing, and it is just a classic. I have to watch it every year during October or else it doesn’t feel like Halloween.”
In order to make sure everyone is safe this Halloween, the Connecticut State Department of Health issued a set of guidelines on their website.
It is recommended to avoid “large parties that exceed 25 people indoors or 150 people outdoors, indoor haunted houses where people may be crowded together and screaming, and hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.” For college students, they recommend to also “consider alternatives to on-campus costume parties or trick-or-treating between dorms, as these activities will be challenging to maintain physical distancing.”
Some students have already adjusted their Halloween traditions because of the pandemic and the Pioneer Promise to remain safe, mindful and compliant with the guidelines.
“Covid-19 has impacted my Halloween traditions. Last year, it was harder to celebrate with friends because of the restrictions in the dorms, while still being safe. This year, I am going to be extra careful and make goodie bags to give out to the trick or treaters while celebrating with close friends,” said junior Kathryn Ludwig.
However, other students’ Halloween traditions have not been impacted by the pandemic.
“I don’t think Covid-19 has affected my Halloween traditions because I continued to buy pumpkins and carve them, and I decorated my dorm room at school and my house in my neighborhood. Although last year we weren’t allowed to have guests in our dorm rooms, I still was able to watch Halloween movies and get into the spirit of celebrating during the month of October,” said Fazio.
Additionally, students are continuing to bring their at-home traditions to campus.
“For Halloween back home, I like to invite friends over and watch a movie with a big bowl of candy. I plan on continuing that tradition at college with my roommates again,” said junior Nisha Sidana.
On the other hand, many students create new Halloween traditions on campus.
“Last year, Halloween was a risky night to be out due to the pandemic, so this year, I plan on creating a new tradition by going to Red’s with a bunch of my friends,” said senior Matt Dimeglio. “Even though Halloween is going to be celebrated differently on campus this year because of the pandemic, it is nice to see the community finally finding the new normal.”
