Children stay spooky and safe at Pumpkin Palooza

By: Nikita Padunin

Jr. Managing Editor

Parents and children clustered into McDonough Sports Complex for a family friendly night of carnival style trick-or-treating at the annual Pumpkin Palooza.

The festival consisted of caricatures, spooky snacks, clowns and carnival rides.

The annual festival took place on Oct. 29 and was free and open to the public. Parents brought their children to enjoy the event and the various attractions there.

“This is the event for the community, about 400 kids will be coming with their families,” said Lya Zhang, Student Senate Treasurer and digital media major. “I am here and dressed up as a cat woman to get kids laughing.” 

Although the event was primarily sponsored by the Student Senate, they were not the only contributing organization.

“We are getting a lot of support to organize this event from students,” Tajae Edwards, Student Senate Secretary and business administration major, said.

Due to the size and scope of the Pumpkin Palooza, volunteers were required. Faculty and athletes assisted the Student Senate members with work. To keep with the event’s theme, they all wore costumes provided by the college. 

The event offered a variety of different snacks like chocolate cookies, M&Ms in pudding and lemonades. 

“I like all the different events that are here, like the free food and pictures,” said civil engineering major Alicia Rodriguez.

Parents and kids lined up for the available engagements.  Children cheered at the magic shows and ran towards their parents and guardians after getting their faces painted.

Some students were assigned positions by the door and within the field house. Others were responsible for behavior and safety.

Volunteers made sure that children were not cutting lines. Music was played to make children feel safe and welcomed in the new environment. Others gave out bags and candy to children so that they could experience the Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating.  

Business major, Daniel Chambers, was in charge of giving out raffle tickets to the children in attendance. 

“I am handing out raffle tickets for kids to have a chance at winning a free bike,” Chambers said. “There are two bikes, one for a boy and another for a girl, [and] we already gave away 100-150 tickets.”

Hudson Valley Community College students and employees themselves attended the event.  They brought along their younger siblings, friends and their own children. Some even came to the event alone, both between and after their evening classes. 

A student said they felt satisfied with the organization of the events by the college. They said they were given the opportunity to take on more responsibility over a campus event. Children were also given a safe space to socialize within their age group.