Halloween season, commonly referred to as spooky season, usually spans the month of October and can be celebrated in various ways. The spooky season is fairly big at Northwestern State University and the surrounding community, as many different events and activities are hosted to bring people together to celebrate the season.
At NSU, numerous spooky events are hosted by First Year Experience, University Programming Council, Greek organizations and more. Some of the most notable events are Myths and Legends, Chasing Isabella, Frightened Fall Fest, Halloween Carnival, Shivers and Thrills, Monster Ball and Murder at Morrison.
Thomas Perryman is a sophomore history major who helped host UPC’s Frightened Fall Fest, an event that consisted of an organizational browse, costume contest and various fun activities. “Obviously, organizations are going to put on different events during Halloween, so if a student wants to get the best out of the Halloween season, then they need to go to those events,” Perryman said.
Chasing Isabella is a week-long scavenger hunt with a cash prize. Clues are posted daily with the cash prizes diminishing each day Isabella isn’t found. This event is a great way for students to explore NSU’s campus while also learning more about the fascinating history of NSU’s resident ghost, Isabella. Mason Bayne, a freshman exercise science major, was the winner of the hunt this year.
Bayne was at a friend’s house when he came across the clue and said he knew the area it was describing immediately. After searching for around 20 minutes, Bayne found Isabella and claimed the cash prize. Bayne’s advice for anyone looking to take on the hunt for Isabella is fairly simple. “Go with a group of friends—multiple brains always help—and read exactly what the clues say because they will add up together,” Bayne said.
Outside of NSU, the community in Natchitoches also hosts a variety of events and activities for those looking to celebrate the spooky season. One of the most popular locations for celebrating Halloween is Dark Woods Adventure Park, casually known as Dark Woods. During the spooky season, Dark Woods is home to a haunted trail that takes guests on a journey through the vast woods, as well as a haunted 3D house that has guests coming from all over the country.
Jamarion “Smitty” Smith is a sophomore kinesiology major who worked as a scare actor at Dark Woods for the first time this year. Smith said he decided to scare at Dark Woods because he had enjoyed going through it as a guest over the years, but wanted to experience something more at the park. “Now that I work at a haunted house, it feels better to scare people and make them have fun for Halloween rather than me just going around and trick-or-treating,” Smith said.
Natchitoches also has other events for those who might not be interested in trekking through a haunted trail or house. Events such as Witch Way to Main Street allow organizations and businesses within the Natchitoches area to set up booths and stalls for Natchitoches families. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes while those hosting booths provide candy for trick-or-treating activities.
Whether an NSU student is looking for a good time on campus or someone seeking a thrill at a haunted house, NSU’s campus and the Natchitoches area have something for everyone to make the most memorable spooky season.
