Boo 22: Campus Halloween Happenings

10/21/2022


Local children take part in the SGA's annual Harvest Festival in 2021. The event will return on Oct. 26. Photo by JSU Digital Media Services.

by Buffy Lockette

Jacksonville State is having back-to-back theme weeks. As soon as the banners and decorations come down for Homecoming Week 2022, it will be time to light the jack-o'-lanterns for a week of fun-filled Halloween festivities. 

MONDAY, OCT. 24

Spooky Open House and Escape Rooms: The JSU Writing Center and Digital Writing Lab will host a Halloween themed open house on Oct 24, 4-6 p.m., in Stone Center, Rooms 228 and 230. Activities will include an array of mini escape rooms, a "Monster Mash" and "Thriller" dance-off, a "How to Survive a Horror Film" infographic competition and a villainous "elevator pitch" competition. Families are welcome and refreshments will be served.

Tubaween: (SOLD OUT) The beloved annual music spooktacular is so popular it's been extended to two nights this year - Oct. 24 and Oct. 26. The JSU Tuba Euphonium Ensemble and ENCORE! show choir will perform haunting hits in Mason Hall, Room 351, from 7:30-10 p.m. The event is free but tickets are required. UPDATE on 10/24 at 1:40 p.m. - tickets for the Oct. 24 show are no longer available. 

TUESDAY, OCT. 25

Fall Fun Fest for Faculty and Staff: (canceled) JSU employees are invited to the President's House for this second annual event featuring refreshments, a costume contest, a corn hole tournament and door prizes. UPDATE on 10/24 at 7:14 p.m. - due to the threat of severe weather this event has been canceled. 

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26

Harvest Festival: Area children are invited to campus to trick or treat the lawn of the Theron Montgomery Building, 5:30-7:30 p.m. There will be popcorn, cotton candy, games and a performance by Crazy About Dance.

Halloween Carnival: Enjoy funnel cake, corn dogs, pretzels, chili cheese fries and other carnival goodies at Jack Hopper Dining Hall, 5-7 p.m. 

Diwali/Tihar: Celebrate one of the biggest festivals in South Asia, the Festival of Lights, with food and activities, 6:30-8 p.m., at the International House.

Tubaween: (SOLD OUT) The beloved annual music spooktacular is so popular it's been extended to two nights this year - Oct. 24 and Oct. 26. The JSU Tuba Euphonium Ensemble and ENCORE! show choir will perform haunting hits in Mason Hall, Room 351, 7:30-10 p.m. UPDATE on 10/26 at 9 a.m. - tickets for the Oct. 26 are no longer available. 

THURSDAY, OCT 27

Double Trouble at the Libraries: The university and city libraries are collaborating to offer a "double header" of Halloween festivities for families on Oct. 27. At 3:30 p.m., the Jacksonville Public Library will present the "Hocus Pocus Spooktacular," followed by Houston Cole Library's "Fifth Floor Frights" at 5:30 p.m. Both events are geared towards young children and will offer spooky stories, creepy crafts, costume contests and treats.

Fashion Show: While not billed as a Halloween event, the much-anticipated Diversity Fashion Show is so diverse it will feature Cosplay and Avant Garde categories. Come cheer on students, faculty and staff as they walk the runway, 6-9 p.m., in Leone Cole Auditorium. 

FRIDAY, OCT. 28

Haunted History Walking Tour: The Jacksonville Public Library will host its annual haunted history walking tour around downtown, beginning at 9 p.m. at the library. While it's not a university sponsored event, many of the stories included on the tour focus on early university history. Signup begins at 8:30 p.m. at the library. The event is geared toward ages 13 and older. Light and reflective clothing is recommended.

MONDAY, OCT. 31

Trick or Treat the Caf: The cashiers will be handing out candy all day at Jack Hopper Dining Hall, while the Simple Servings station will provide allergen-free goodies as part of the Teal Pumpkin Project. Admission to the dining hall is required. 

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 2

Dia de Los Muertos: The International House and Programs and the International Student Organization will host a Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Head, celebration on Nov. 2, 5-7 p.m., at the International House. There will be free food, music, games and activities. Everyone is welcome.

Do you have a campus Halloween event to add to the list? Send an email to jsunews@jsu.edu