Big support for IU’s Biggest Halloween Party

Lions, tigers, bears and a DJ were just some of the things at IU’s Biggest Halloween Party, put on by the Residence Halls Association Programming Board.

The party was Thursday night in the Wilkie Auditorium from 7 to 11 p.m. The only cost of admission to the event was a canned food item.

“All canned food times and anything else donated will be delivered to Hoosier Hills,” freshman Morgan Eldridge said.

After turning in canned food, attendees entered their names in a raffle. Prizes that were raffled off included an iPod, a digital camera and movies. Winners from the dancing and costume contests also received prizes.

“We spent a lot of money,” member of the board Ashton Melvin said, “but it was all worth it, especially after seeing the turnout.”

Costumes included animals, Alice in Wonderland and Catwoman, and the winner of the costume contest was the Joker from the movie “The Dark Knight.”

“The Joker deserved to win,” said junior Robert Day. “He looked just like the villain from the movie.”

Vice President of Programming and junior Katie Lambert said they had expected about 700 students to participate.

“Throughout the night, counting kids that had come and gone, I say we just about reached our goal,” she said.

There was also free food, drinks and handouts at the end of the event.

“It was a really great experience,” Day said. “I won a movie, and it was something fun to do as opposed to sitting in the house.”

With a large student community, there is no shortage of parties or events to attend off campus on Halloween weekend.

“We really just wanted to provide a safe alternative for students here because a lot of things can happen at some of the off-campus events.” Lambert said.

There was a range of diversity at the event as well.

“This was a good opportunity to bridge gaps amongst the students that would rarely ever party together here at IU,”  Eldridge said.

The organization interacted with students throughout the event. There were greeters at each door as well as members willing to retrieve drinks for the students.

“This was like our coming-out event, so we just want to give the students something to look forward to,” Lambert said.

The organization is expected to have either three or four events in the spring.

“Setting up this event really help us bond as an organization, and we just hope that bond carries over with the students that support us,” Melvin said.