To celebrate the ghoulish Halloween season, some departments at the University of Central Florida are hosting various community events leading up to Oct. 31.
For outdoor lovers, the UCF Arboretum on Friday will host its second-annual Spooktacular. The overnight event will feature a Trail of Horror throughout the Arboretum’s nature paths and boardwalk, an outdoor screening of the movie Sinister, photo booth, ghost stories by the fire, camping and other activities.
“This is a chance for students and the community to engage with the Arboretum in a fun and social setting,” said Jacques Werleigh, program assistant at the UCF Arboretum that’s known for its nature trails and community garden. “You just have to have fun – no volunteering or research is necessary.”
About 100 people are expected to attend Spooktacular, Werleigh said. Costumes are encouraged, and those who plan on staying overnight should bring camping supplies and food. Festivities will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, students, faculty and staff also can get in the Halloween spirit by attending one of numerous themed, group-exercise classes and events at the Recreation and Wellness Center. Here’s what’s coming:
To top off the holiday, those on campus at 10 a.m. on Halloween can witness a longstanding university tradition: About 120 UCF Creative School students up to 5 years old will trick-or-treat through Millican Hall and the Housing and Residence Life offices. The annual event has been held since at least 1998, said Creative School associate director Kim Campese.
“The Millican Hall and Housing staff thoroughly enjoy dressing up and seeing the littlest Knights in their costumes,” Campese said.