The Campus Activities Board (CAB) hosted its annual CarnEvil celebration at the Smith University Center (UC) on the night of Oct. 30. Despite facing budget cuts and venue challenges, organizers were able to host a long-standing campus tradition that’s been running for nearly a decade while also holding a costume contest.
The costume contest drew plenty of creative entries, including Briana Goodwin, who came dressed as the Lorax. “Save the trees,” she said, quoting one of the Lorax’s well-known lines. “A lot of people have been walking up to me and asking for pictures, but honestly, it’s what I expected.”
Her friend, Courtney Watford, was dressed as a Ravenclaw from the popular Harry Potter book series. “This is what I’d wear if I was in that world,” said Watford. “It feels great to be out of the house. I’m social but not too social, and I like just seeing everyone dressed up.”
Other standout costumes included a pair dressed as The X-Files agents Dana Scully and Fox Mulder — Hailie Hightower and Makayla Shepard. “I kind of dragged her into this,” Shepard said, laughing, as the two adjusted their FBI badges.
The main lobby of the UC had been filled with long tables decorated in Halloween themed tablecloths. Students sat at these tables, eating the food catered by the dining staff; chicken tenders, buffalo chicken dip, pita chips and more. The next room over was completely transformed into a lively Halloween carnival, with even more themed tables, spooky decorations and a crowded dance floor.
Students navigated between the main lobby and the carnival room, where a DJ kept the crowd moving with classics like the “Electric Slide,” “Cha Cha Slide,” and Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”
“We began planning for this about six or seven weeks ago,” said Dominik Khilji, CAB advisor. He revealed that the event usually takes place in the Honors Center, but there was another event that conflicted with the timing. “We tried to hold it at the Honors Center again this year, but there was something else happening tonight. Still, we did the best we could with what we have, and I think it turned out pretty good.”
Sitting at a table outside of the carnival room was CAB’s new social media manager, Shacora Spights. “I made the promotional video for the event on our Instagram page. So far, it’s been great … though we’re hoping even more people will show up,” said Spights.
Inside the carnival room, long lines formed around the food table, where students grabbed plates of chicken tenders and spinach artichoke dip before heading back to the flashing lights and fog-filled dance area.
Though CAB faced tighter constraints this year, attendees said the event still captured the fun, carefree energy that makes CarnEvil a fall favorite. As the night went on, the music thumped, lights flickered and laughter filled the UC — a reminder that even with cutbacks, Halloween at the university is still something to celebrate.