R.H.A. Hosts Safe-Zone Trick-or-Treating
Lisa DuPont

Boo! It's the Halloween season once again! Time for little kids to put on some cute costumes, grab a plastic pumpkin bucket and head out on a candy collecting mission.

As we all know, Halloween is an exciting holiday for kids, but it does come with its share of worries for mom and dad. Parents fret about their kids walking around a neighborhood at night, with speedy drivers, poorly lit streets, as well as receiving candy from people they aren't familiar with. Well, UMass Lowell is helping parents out by offering a safe and spooky event.

"Safe Zone Trick-or-Treating," is an annual event hosted by the Residence Hall Association (R.H.A.) here at UMass Lowell. Each year, the R.H.A. sends out letters to Lowell Elementary Schools, and the students in grades Pre-K through 5 are invited to attend this event. Last year, over 400 children took part in the fun, and this year looks just as promising. The kids and parents will come to Sheehy and Concordia Halls, where the children may take part in fun activities that the R.H.A. has prepared for them. These activities include Hall Council booths in the South Campus Link (the lounge) with a variety of activities for children to participate in. These booths are set up "carnival style" and will have fun games like "eat the donut on the string with out your hands" and the infamous "bobbing for apples." Children will also be able to trick-or-treat in Sheehy and Concordia. The R.H.A. has already purchased the candy which will be distributed to the dorm rooms (sorry guys, the candy's for the kids) as well as door knockers for each door. In addition to the booths and trick-or-treating, a "child-friendly" haunted house will be in the basement of Concordia.

This year, the event is happening on Thursday, October 28th, from 5-8 PM. Parents will be able to park in the South Campus parking lot, where police will be controlling the parking. If you would like to help out with the event or have questions, you can call the R.H.A. at 978-934-5115. You may also email them at umlrha@yahoo.com. You may also call Ann Marie Ciaraldi, the Director of Residence life, at 978-934-2104. Happy Halloween!