EIU Media Relations

Halloween at EIU: It Promises to be a Scream!

Ghosts, goblins and a host of other foul-looking beasties planning to roam the campus of Eastern Illinois University this weekend invite boys and "ghouls" of all ages to come and share in the fun.

Unless otherwise noted, all activities are free and open to the public. Costume-wearing guests will be welcomed!

"Late Night at the Haunted Union" activities begin at 8 p.m. Saturday with the showing of the film "Rocky Horror Picture Show" in the Charleston/Mattoon Room, located on the third floor (east wing) of the MLK Jr. Union.

Seventh Street Underground, located in the lower level of the union, will magically transform into the "Haunted Union" from 8 p.m. to midnight . Despite the frightening sights of monsters, graveyards and the like, the haunting will be "family-friendly" and more than suitable for youngsters. However, adult supervision is requested.

A different sort of entertainment will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, when Eastern's Symphony Orchestra presents its "Fright Night Concert" in McAfee South Auditorium. General admission is $10; $8 for senior citizens; and $5 for youth 17 and under.

The concert will feature the orchestra presenting "March to the Scaffold" from Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14; the theme from the "Lost World" by John Williams; and "Green Eggs and Ham," the famous Dr. Seuss story put to music, with Marilyn Coles, mezzo-soprano, and Courtney Alburtus, soprano.

Other features of the concert promise to include a Halloween costume contest, candy and lots of frightening fun!

Pemberton Hall will host its annual Halloween Kids Night from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30. Residents there will welcome children from the community to play games and trick-or-treat around the hall.

Halloween activities on the EIU campus will culminate Tuesday, Oct. 31, with trick-or-treating, games and other special events from 5 to 9 p.m. (unless otherwise specified) at the university's residence halls. Participating halls include Andrews, Carman, Ford, Lawson, Lincoln, Stevenson (5 to 7 p.m.), Taylor (6 to 8 p.m.), Thomas and Weller. (A PDF version of a campus map can be found at http://www.eiu.edu/pubaff/map.pdf.)

Young visitors are also invited to visit Eastern's Greek Court for "Greeks, Ghosts and Goblins 2006." Several activities are planned to take place between 5 and 8 p.m., including pumpkin painting, face painting, Halloween crafts, bozo buckets and various other games specifically targeted for children ages three through eight. A Halloween-themed photo background will be available for parents wanting a photo keepsake. (Bring your own cameras, please.)

Again, adult supervision is requested.

As always, for up-to-date information on these activities, plus other events open to the general public on the EIU campus, please see http://www.eiu.edu/pubaff/calendar.php.