Costume contest winners. Photo by Carter James, editor in chief. By A.K. Miller
On Friday, Oct. 17, the SGA held one of its most anticipated events of the year: the Halloween Bash. The lights were off and Farmer Hall was decorated to the fullest, creating an appropriately spooky setting for the bash.
Cobwebs were stuck to the windows, and large glowing inflatable decorations were dispersed around the room, including a dark spider by the door, a skeleton on a table guarding QR codes, and a large castle on the stage that framed the event’s DJ.
The DJ mixed a variety of songs ranging from crowd favorite oldies to current pop songs during the entire event. Snacks and drinks were provided, as well as a dance floor which the students, most of which were wearing costumes, were unafraid to use as the rhythms and beats of the music filled the building.
A photo booth was also available for use and was run by Tigger and Winnie-the-Pooh. But one of the most exciting parts of the event for attendees was by far the costume contest.
When asked about her victory, first place winner Lucy McLaughlin expressed her surprise at winning the contest in her hotdog costume. “I thought the Gingerbread was kind of better than mine, but I’m grateful.” Mclaughlin stated, referring to another of the costumes present that evening.
Second place winner, Marley Sledge, was also surprised by placing in the contest with her Balalaika costume, a character from the Black Lagoon anime and manga. “My costume, it’s not from a well-known media,” Sledge said. Sledge made the costume through a process of finding pieces second hand as well as sewing some aspects of the costume herself, and her makeup featured a large burn scar that looked uncannily accurate to one that Balalaika has.
But what is the draw to this event and what makes it special? When asked about the event’s importance, SGA President, Caleb Jernigan stated, “I’d say it’s important because its, well first off, its tradition, we have this event every single year, but also, it’s just a nice event. It’s a Halloween party that happens mid-October where you can have fun, try on your costume, enter the costume contest…It’s also set apart from other Halloween events going on because it is the one run on campus.”
Between friendly costume competition, good music and the accessibility of the event, the Halloween Bash was a smashing success and shows no signs of stopping being a campus staple anytime soon.
