After last year’s disappointing last minute cancellation of the Boo Trunk-or-Treat event, Millikin plans for its return.
This Sunday, October 19th, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Millikin’s annual Boo at MU event will be happening at the University Commons. The event will be held for students and families, offering a fun, free afternoon full of activities, and most importantly, tons of candy.
Activities include candy handouts from volunteer organizations, a kids’ costume contest at 2:00 p.m. with the Decatur Park District, ghost-themed bowling, a musical pumpkin station, arts and crafts, a movie and coloring, balloon animals, and a low-stimulation room made by Millikin’s Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre.
Public Safety will be present to help maintain safety during the event.
The goal of the event is to bring an engaging and welcoming environment to the Decatur community.
“We want to portray Millikin as the safe space that it is for community engagement,” Helena Hashimoto, head of the Boo event and Coordinator for Student Engagement and Leadership Development, said.
This year’s event has plenty of volunteers handing out candy to be sure the event goes swimmingly. There are currently twelve organizations that are signed up and ready to hand out plenty of candy.
The organizations include the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Millikin’s Dedication to Education, Environmental Affairs Council, National Student Nurses Association, Alpha Chi Omega, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Richland Community College, Delta Sigma Theta, Black Student Union, Pi Beta Phi, C-IDEAS, and Italian Club.
Campus Life will also be partnering with the library for the arts and crafts and the Center for International Education, which will supply international candies.
The Decatur Park District has also collaborated in the event’s children’s costume contest, supplying passes for Overlook Adventure mini golf, Splash Cove, and Scovill Zoo to the winners. These awards will go to the first-, second-, and third-place winners of the competition, respectively.
There is plenty of candy to go around due to Boo at MU having many donations this time around. Millikin has received candy donations from Decatur organizations such as Sista Girls and Friends, Heritage Behavioral Health, Dynagraphics, Blain’s Farm & Fleet, and all Campus Life partners.
Boo at MU invites students, families, and kids alike to join in on the trunk-or-treating and other fun activities. Boo at MU is an outlet to help reach the Decatur community and students at Millikin alike.
“I think it’s really important for Millikin to be a staple of the Decatur community, to provide these experiences for the people of Decatur,” Hashimoto said. “It’s really important for us to have that community outreach and those good relationships with businesses and families around here.”
Parking will be available at the DISC located at 1295 W. Wood Street. Guests are encouraged to bring a bag for their treats and enjoy an afternoon filled with spooky music, games, and an overall fun community experience at Millikin.
