This month, the Campus Activities Team (CAT) partnered with various student organizations to make the Halloween season both enjoyable and safe for the University community.

Events kicked off on Wednesday, Oct. 28, when Inter-Hall Council (IHC) held its annual Nova Harvest festival in the afternoon.

At Nova Harvest, there were an abundance of lawn games that students could play, like Kanjam, Spike Ball and cornhole. Students could also paint pumpkins and guess how much candy corn was in a jar, for the prize of a $25 Campus Corner gift card.

IHC provided sugar cookies, frosted to look like ghosts and pumpkins, and decorated the Riley Ellipse. There were scarecrows, hay bails, leaves and pumpkins scattered around the area. The festivities were off to a commendable start.

On Oct. 29, a special Halloween-themed game of Nova Quizzo was held at Jake Nevin Field House. The trivia contest had three rounds: Disney Channel Halloween movies, Celebrities That Really Like Halloween and Halloween Party Playlist. The winners of the night, A.J. Fezza and Jake Saunders, went home with candy, as well as devices like movie projectors, marshmallow roasters, hot popcorn makers and a bluetooth speaker.

However, it wasn’t until the next day, Friday, Oct. 30, that Halloweekend truly kicked off.

At 7 p.m. on Oct. 30, Boo Palooza began on Mendel Field. There was a wide array of entertaining performances. The a capella teams who performed included Measure Up, The Haveners, Vocal Minority, Spires, Supernovas, Nothing But Treble, Sirens and Minor Problem. Dance teams also performed, including The Superlative, Dance Company, Irish Dance, NOVA Noise, Villanova Dance Team and Ablaze. The University’s twirling team, Villanova Twirlers, also made its mark onstage. Most performers came outfitted in themed costumes, in true Halloween spirit.

At 10 p.m., CAT and NOVA Dance teamed up to show a movie at the Riley Ellipse: “Halloweentown.”

Meanwhile, students who did not attend Boo! Palooza or the “Halloweentown” showing had the opportunity to play mini golf or relax by fire pits.

Blacklight Mini Golf was held on the tennis and basketball courts on Main Campus by Driscoll Hall from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Glow-in-the-dark loops, perimeters and golf balls gave the entire 18-hole course an alluring, fluorescent illumination. Most attendees made reservations, though there was room for some students to walk on for a game.

Halloween on the Green also took place from 8 p.m. to midnight. Just like at Wonder Fall Weekend, the Green was equipped with lawn games and fire pits, which were reserved in advance. Food trucks stopped by offering free food to attendees.

Halloween would be the busiest day of the weekend, both on and off campus.

On Halloween afternoon on campus, the Riley Ellipse became a pumpkin patch, with tables set up for students to collect and decorate pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.

By nighttime, Blacklight Mini Golf and Halloween on the Green were open for all students. The Ellipse was transformed from a pumpkin patch into a party scene for Boos and Brews. This event, only open for students over the age of 21, featured food from Bodega, alcoholic beverages from La Cabra Brewing, fire pits and live music.

While some students celebrated the holiday on campus, some upperclassmen traveled as far away as Hudson Valley, N.Y. for a festive weekend off campus. A handful of juniors and seniors retreated to the area of upstate N.Y. for time away from the oversight of the University. Other upperclassmen found their way to small gatherings off-campus.

Other notable on-campus events of Oct. 31 included the Cena de Convivencia and Tent or Treat.

The Cena de Convivencia, or “convivial dinner,” was held at the Driscoll Tent. It was run by the campus organization Levantate, in partnership with Campus Ministry, and organized by Irene Rivera, the Campus Minister for Hispanic Outreach. The dinner celebrated both Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos.

“It was a great experience spending time conversing with friends in Levantate and Campus Ministry,” sophomore Anthony Grasso said. “I especially enjoyed playing cornhole, painting the alebrijes and dancing along to the Latin tunes.”

At Tent or Treat, over 50 student organizations decorated and hosted tents around Main Campus, where they handed out candy and promoted club missions.