Halloween seems to boom in Grand Rapids because it is a traditional activity marked with a variety of events and people engaging in the special holiday however they please. The ambiance in the air shifts from orchard green to sun burnt tangerine and burgundy. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors have recounted their experience of the fall season and their favorite spooky activities to help everyone get in the spirit. We’ve been looking forward to the yearly revival of Halloween, which has never let us down.
Halloween season is one of the most popular and celebrated in the calendar. People usually dress up in the most frightening ways imaginable. Applying makeup is the most popular way of spicing up the Halloween atmosphere. It’s a really fun process for a lot of us who enjoy spending time mixing up face paint and other special effects to transform into freaky characters. Our costumes inspire us to lead a lifestyle that is more fabulous and weird at the same time
Let me highlight another rather interesting custom: holding sleepovers and telling scary stories. It is very enjoyable for my friends and I to spend the night at someone’s house, where we are armed with sheets and food ready to share the creepiest stories. As the sun sets, we turn songs into lighted candles for a round of listening to ghost stories that risk rattling the spine. When laughter and nervous excitement combine together, the night becomes the best of them all especially when there is a bump in the dark that only immerses us more in the story.
Halloween-inspired baking also seems to enchant my friends. We always have an afternoon where we bake lots of cookies and cupcakes with weird patterns on top. The kitchen is filled with all kinds of baked goods, which range everywhere from pumpkin cookies to ghost-emblazoned cupcakes. Not only do we get to express ourselves, but also we get to taste some of our creepy creations. We don’t even have to keep these hard candy bars hidden for the enjoyment of the festival.
And last but certainly not least, what is Halloween without a movie marathon? We compile a list of our favorite scary movies and an assortment of snacks, from popcorn to theme candy. Watching the suspenseful scenes and unexpected scares as we bundle ourselves up one evening for a night of thrills has us jumping in our seats. But the companionship in watching them together, chatting, and laughing (or groaning) along while we do it is a bonding pastime.
October is a special time in Grand Rapids as the community continues to carve out its new identity post-ArtPrize and pre-snowfall; it becomes more clear how big of a role Halloween plays. If something adds a layer of excitement to the month, then we say go for it—whether that is dressing up or telling scary stories around a fire pit or baking Halloween treats together as a family and watching creepy movies! Halloween doesn’t just provide spooky delights, but also connection as much of humanity celebrates at the same time.
