Houses on North Jordan offer ‘Safe Halloween’ for Bloomington community

Halfway through Safe Halloween, Panhellenic Assocation Vice President of Leadership Development and senior Stephanie Nowell was scrambling to find more candy — the houses were already out.

Oct. 27 marked the fourth annual Safe Halloween, an event sponsored by the greek community in which Bloomington residents are invited to trick-or-treat at the fraternities and sororities along the North Jordan Avenue extension.

Nowell said this was a record year.

“Every October, we start having people say, ‘When’s it coming up? We want to come,’” Nowell said. “It’s a really great opportunity for us to show them what great things we do and give back to them for putting up with us all year.”

PHA and the Interfraternity Council spent more than $300 in candy, and each chapter contributed their own supply along with themes and activities.

Nowell, who has participated in Safe Halloween for the last three years, said the greek organizations are just as excited as the community.

Alpha Omicron Pi assembled a tattoo booth in their circle driveway. Kappa Sigma sponsored a mini-obstacle course. Phi Mu spread a red carpet across the sidewalk in front of their house. Phi Sigma Kappa played cornhole.

Sophomore Erik Schnittgen, a member of Phi Kappa Sigma, stood in front of the house and greeted people. He dressed as superman for the event.

“It help makes the environment more Halloween-ish for the kids,” Schnittgen said.

Though limited to the extension, all organizations, including those that are off-campus or are members of the National Panhellenic Association or the Multi-Cultural Greek Council, were paired with a house on the extension so they could participate as well.

“I love watching all the kids walk by and seeing how excited they are and knowing we’re doing that,” Nowell said. “They will have this memory for years to come.”

Gretchen Knall and her daughters, 10-year-old Ruth and 8-year-old Iris, along with their friend, Lucy Backs, walked up and down the extension, celebrating their fall break and collecting candy.

“We’ve never come to this before, but we thought it would be fun to do early trick-or-treating, eat lots of candy stay up late tonight,” Gretchen said. “(The sororities and fraternities) are doing a good job making the kids feel welcomed.”

Ruth and Iris said they were most excited about the candy and liked seeing all the different costumes.

“It’s awesome trick-or-treating,” Ruth said. “(Halloween) is the best holiday ever.”