CAB reimagines Halloween festivities

With Halloween just around the corner, the Campus Activities Board (CAB) is working to make this season as spooky as possible — all while keeping students safe.

While this month usually kicks off with the annual fall concert, followed by costume parties and pumpkin carving, CAB is reimagining what Halloween will look like this year.

Kate Solberg, president of CAB, said there have been some challenges in planning Halloween activities on campus this year, since CAB is normally a hands-on organization.

“We have to be more mindful of how we’re going to do programming,” Solberg said. “Health and safety is obviously the biggest priority for everyone on campus, whether it’s a CAB member or a student coming to the event. So we have to think about how we social distance and how we do things with safety in mind.”

Amidst the changes in programming, CAB has still been active on campus this semester and will continue to do so with their upcoming activities. To get students in the Halloween spirit, CAB is hosting a mask program on Oct. 22 where students can make their own spooky-themed masks. There will also be a “CAB-O-Ween” event the following week, which will include crafts, movies, candy and all the ingredients students need for a successful Halloween weekend.

To plan for these events, Solberg said, a lot of background preparation must take place in order to ensure all students and staff in attendance are being kept safe.

“When you come to a program, you don’t really know there’s been hours of prep behind it,” Solberg said. “But it’s those little minute steps that help make things seamless.”

With the extra planning and student safety being a priority, CAB has seen over 100 students at each of the programs they’ve put on this semester. 

Cara Olson, CAB adviser, said students have been working really hard to provide students with activities that are not only safe, but also fun.

“We know it’s hard, not being able to go out the same way we have been able to in years past,” Olson said. “It feels a little bit like a year of missing out on things, but there are ways to reimagine what Halloween weekend can be.”

Solberg said engagement at CAB events has been good so far, so she hopes to see a lot of students at the upcoming Halloween events.

“I’m super glad with what CAB has been able to do this semester with the challenges of living in a COVID world,” Solberg said. “I’m grateful for how many students are still willing to come and show up to events.”