WILL ROOSE, Special to The Denisonian—
Spooky Season is the moment, and we are just living in it. It’s that particular time of year where everything tastes like pumpkin spice, while the dust is blown off the skeleton decorations and into the gloomy atmosphere that is October. Growing up in Darien, Connecticut, Halloween was more than just a local holiday. It was a true celebration wrapped in full-size Snickers, carnivals, and parades, reveling in bright displays of orange and green.
In my neighborhood, there would be no shortage of which house could put on the most extravagant spectacle of horror, with actors from the local theater house coming together and staging truly horrific set-pieces designed to frighten and spark joy. I remember those nights so vividly as zombies crawled out of the gardens and mad scientists flipped switches that would send actual sparks six feet up into the air, their monsters bursting to life in oversized, medieval chairs.
The image that engrained most into my mind was the black stallion that slowly walked down the street, a headless horseman carrying the reigns as its torso stared down the neighborhood. These commemorations take weeks to prepare and curate, and most areas would not take the time if there weren’t an overwhelming desire.
However, what I am asking Denison to preserve is the spirit of Halloween, to, at the very least, design an environment where the community can take some part in the celebration of this memorable holiday. From the aesthetic of John Carpenter’s Haddonfield permeating through Granville to the on-campus locations primed for student-led haunted houses, I can not help but feel this year will serve as a missed opportunity to create a sense of solidarity during the month of ghostly awakening.
This year, I am making my costume from scratch (I decided on Polka-Dot Man from The Suicide Squad). While I will be painting and utilizing arts and crafts in my dorm, there are bound to be others who may be interested in creating their own spectacular garments. I’m sure that some live off of Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Lattes during long days of study, and I could not help but think what a good idea it would be to launch a “make your own PSL” event in the coming days.
As a Cinema and English major with a particular interest in the horror genre, finding a way to recommend or host watch parties of more minor, less-known books and films would be an incredible achievement. Columbus is also hosting over eighty events during the month, from pumpkin patch tours to a nineteenth-century recreation of All Hallow’s Eve.
While it may not be possible this year to achieve more than a few decorations and more minor activities, next year can parallel some of the spirit felt back in my hometown. I may be the only one who feels this way, but my desire for a “real” Halloween celebration must be mutual in some capacity. I mean, there has to be at least one ghost on-campus. Why not be the first to find it?