By Clara Gilleland

This year, both on-campus and off, there are quite a few events available for students to get their yearly fix of Halloween fun. Students have many opportunities here in the local Winchester area to celebrate the cooler temperatures and the leaves changing, and the fall and Halloween festivities that come this time of year.

Photo by Harley Ryan

Off campus, there are a variety of options for students and their families to attend. Going all the way through Nov. 1, Hill High Farm hosts a pumpkin patch, as well as the Haunted Nightmares attraction, for those who enjoy the scarier side of Halloween. Located on Cameron Street and running through Oct. 31 is The Devil’s Den, a haunted ‘experience’ based on a 1972 murder mystery in Winchester. At Marker-Miller Orchards, the Pumpkin Festival is on Oct. 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Also on Oct. 24 is the Halloween Spooktacular in Old Town Winchester from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the Halloween Costume Contest and Trunk-Or-Treat at the Family Drive-In Theatre from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. And for those interested in getting to know their superstitious side, Long Branch in the Dark at Long Branch Plantation will be the event for them, on Oct. 30 from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m..

Photo by Harley Ryan

Here on campus, there are plenty of Halloween activities to enjoy as well. On Sunday Oct. 25 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., students who bring their SU ID can enjoy the Parker Haunted House, which includes five rooms with different themes, such as zombies and asylum. On Oct. 28 starting at 8:30 p.m., students can enjoy the Phi Mu Alpha Halloween Musicale, which includes a fairytale-themed costume contest that will reward the winner with a $15 Chipotle gift card. Alpha Kappa Psi will also be hosting a Halloween costume contest including music, snacks, and games on Oct. 29 at 9:30 p.m., where first, second, and third place winners will receive a variety of gift cards. At the Brandt Student Center on Oct. 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., students can enjoy s’mores and hot chocolate by a fire pit to warm up in the cool temperatures.

Whether students choose activities on-campus, off-campus, or a mixture of both, this year’s Halloween festivities are sure to provide fun for everyone who attends.