Mangilao ,Guam—The University of Guam School of Business and Public Administration (SBPA) hosted its Halloween Family Day on Friday Oct. 27, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. This was a free event, open to the public and held in the SBPA atrium. All families and their children were invited to come by and join in the Halloween themed fun.

 

The Halloween Family Day was a collaboration between multiple SBPA associated student organizations. Each group had the opportunity to coordinate and manage their own booth, adding to the family-friendly atmosphere.

 

All the student volunteers were decked out in their costumes adding a little more Halloween spirit to the occasion. Attendees were also encouraged to come in costume and participate in the game booths to win free candy and prizes and try to their luck in the costume contest held later that evening.

 

Children also had the chance to take part in some early trick-or-treating fun.

 

A highlight of the event included meeting Spider-Man and Optimus Prime. Participants enjoyed viewing the variety of costumes that were present and parents had the opportunity to take photos with their favorite characters.

 

The event was well attended from the start with the building bustling with families enjoying the activities.

 

“I think it’s going well. By 4 p.m. kids started coming in. The turnout is just going to get bigger as we approach 7 p.m.,” said Charles Roque, a junior accounting major and treasurer for the Junior Accounting Society.

 

While this was his first-time volunteering for such an event, Roque said that he enjoyed helping with the activities and creating a safe environment for the children and families attending.

 

He explained that many neighborhoods on Guam are not safe enough for children to be out trick-or-treating at night. A lack of adequate lighting and sidewalks make this holiday activity dangerous. To combat this, the SBPA organizations went the extra mile decorating the atrium with paper ghosts and orange streamers to give kids a safe and enjoyable Halloween atmosphere.

 

Roque felt happy with the hard work of all the student organizations and said that their participation made for a successful event.

 

Christopher Campbell, a senior in communications said that the Halloween Family Day event was a fun precursor to the real holiday on Oct. 31.

 

“It was a fun event for families to go and bring their kids,” Campbell said, “I know kids get-really excited for Halloween, so having another event where they can wear their costumes again and get free candy must be really fun for them.”

 

While the event focused on creating fun activities for kids, adults had the opportunity to enjoy some good food provided by the food trucks Z’s Green Canteen and Fatboy Slim.