PumpkinFest returned to the University of Connecticut this Tuesday, Oct. 29. Taking place at the Student Union Terrace from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., this outdoor Halloween event is the fourth iteration of PumpkinFest. It included a stuff-a-pumpkin event, food, laser tag, condom trick-or-treating and a pumpkin light show.
To access the various activities of the event, students used the QR code attached to the profile in the UConntact website. The event staff scanned the code and then gave students an orange wristband, which would allow them access to the various parts of the event.
One of the most striking parts of PumpkinFest was the pumpkin light show. Rows of jack-o’-lanterns had been set up on shelves, inside of which were lights sequenced to music. The lights flashed and changed color to the beat of a song, with the setlist rotating throughout the night.
Upon my arrival at the event at 7:15 p.m., the pumpkins began playing “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell — which is most certainly one of the best Halloween songs out there. So, of course, when it played again later, I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, the same song played at least six times between 7:15 p.m. and 9 p.m., although I can’t complain. It’s a great song, after all.
One part of PumpkinFest was sponsored by UConn’s Student Health and Wellness, who ran condom trick-or-treating for the event. Students spun a wheel of different topics related to sexual health, including sexually transmitted infections, consent and anatomy. Those running the event then asked students questions related to that topic and could earn a condom as a prize.
Students had the opportunity to create a stuffed animal pumpkin with the “stuff-a-pumpkin” portion of the event. Unfortunately, the PumpkinFest organizers had run out of tickets for it shortly after 7 p.m., which meant eventgoers were unable to experience that aspect of PumpkinFest. The final portion was an inflatable laser tag maze, themed to look like a haunted house.
Multiple food trucks handed out free food to students with event wristbands, with items including soup, apple cider, apple cider donuts and soft pretzels.
“My favorite part of the event was definitely hanging out with friends while getting to enjoy delicious apple cider donuts,” said third-semester UConn student Tye Kukucka, who is a computer science and engineering double major. “I thought it was pretty fun and definitely should happen again next year, but I do think they should better prepare for more people.”
Although PumpkinFest was fun to attend, it could definitely be improved. The event was bogged down by a lack of accommodation for the number of attendees. Lines were long and as previously stated, the “stuff-a-pumpkin” event had concluded before PumpkinFest was even halfway through.
Despite these flaws, it was still an enjoyable experience overall. The condom trick-or-treating and the pumpkin lights were both fun and entertaining. The food was high quality and warm, and the addition of apple-cider-flavored items made it truly feel like a Halloween night in New England.
If the event happens again next year, I recommend going early and bringing friends with you. Sitting under a tree with a hot cup of apple cider and having fun with friends is truly one of the best parts of fall.