On- and Off-Campus Events Offer Halloween Fun

Story by Broadside Correspondent Monika Joshi. Photo by Student Media Photo Manager Courtney Erland.

Even though we all love free candy, most college students would rather go out with friends than go trick-or-treating nowadays and for those living on-campus, spending the evening giving out Halloween candy to cute children isn’t an option, either.

So if you are looking for a way to take advantage of the fact that Halloween is on a Friday this year, there’s a lot out there for you to do on- and off-campus.

On-Campus Events

There will be a Halloween Dodgeball Tournament. This event is open to all George Mason University students as well as faculty and staff.

The tournament champions and the team or individual that is best-dressed will win a prize. It will be held in the SUB II Ballroom on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
To register a team, one person must submit a completed “team registration” form to the intramural sports office, located in the Aquatic Fitness Center. If you don’t have a team, there might still be a spot open for you on the free agent team. Forms and details about the event can be found on recsports.gmu.edu.

Halloween Bash will take place on Thursday night from 8 to 11 p.m. This is the perfect way to kick off the Halloween weekend.

At this event, sponsored by the Mason Cable Network, there will be scary movies playing, Halloween music and free food.
The event is free and there’s also a possibility that you’ll be on TV. It will take place in the Student Video Center, located on the bottom floor of the David King Hall.

Halloween Ball is another event being sponsored by the Mason Cable Network and another chance to be on TV.

It will be held at the same time as the Halloween Bash, but in Dewberry Hall in the Johnson Center. Music will be provided by WGMU.

Witch Watch is for anyone interested in ensuring the safety of trick-or-treaters in the area. Participants will meet on Halloween evening at 4:30 p.m. at the News Center in the Johnson Center.

To take part, just fill out a liability form which can be found at the Student Government office. Forms are due by Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Off-Campus Events

Markoff's Haunted Forest is the place for you if you’re looking for a good scare in the middle of a pitch-black forest.

This haunted forest takes “victims” through a dark trail in the woods full of scary surprises. Though it is a bit pricey at $25, it is one of the most popular attractions in the area.

It opens on both weekdays and weeknights at dusk.

It is located at 19120 Martinsburg Rd., Dickerson, MD 20842. For event details click here.

Cox Farms offers a variety of activities for all age groups. Some popular attractions include a large pumpkin patch, corn maze and haunted hayride.

It’s a perfect day-time trip to get into the Halloween spirit. Cox Farms is located at 15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville 20120. For additional information, visit www.coxfarms.com.

Fright Fest at Kings Dominion is another popular choice, with a long list of things to do.

Attractions include several mazes and “scarezones.” Three spine-chilling shows will also be featured.

Tickets are $31.99 per person on Fridays and after 4 p.m. on weekends. All-day tickets on weekends cost $54.99.

Hours of operation are 7 to 12 p.m. on Fridays and 10:30 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays. The last day is November 1.

For more information, go to haunt.kingsdominion.com.

Three notable concerts are taking place on Halloween night. Panic at the Disco, featuring Dashboard Confessional, Plain White T’s and The Cab, will be held at the Patriot Center. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $30-$40.
Coldplay will be performing at the Verizon Center, starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost between $50 and $98.

Jammin’ Java will host Mambo Sauce, Future, Flex Mathews and Jon Braman. The concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12.

Still deciding on what to do? Don’t forget about Chipotle’s free burrito deal.

Certain Chipotle restaurants are giving out free burritos on Halloween night to patrons that show up with dressed as a burrito or with aluminum foil somehow incorporated into their attire.