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Salem State Prepares for Halloween
What are students doing on October 31st?
By: Amanda Taylor
There are pumpkins on the windowsills, decorations on the lawns, and tourists flooding downtown from this way and that. Yes, it appears to be that time of the year once more -- Halloween in Salem. To get into the mood of the holiday, we interviewed some of our fellow Salem State College students to see what their plans are for Halloween.
“We are attacked by an Indian, there’s a girl that goes into a fit, and we have bibliomancy – which is using the bible in a way that you weren’t supposed to use it,” explains Nicole Amero, an SSC student when asked about her plans for Halloween. Nicole will be performing in Salem’s “Spiritways” production. Check out 
“Spiritways” in Salem’s Pioneer Village. Amero will be aiding in this depiction of historic Salem and the witch hysteria, showing every thirteenth of the hour, starting at 7:13 PM, and ending at 11:13 PM. Tickets are available online for thirteen dollars.
Nicole also mentions that ‘demon babies’ will be featured in the performance. Apparently, back in the 1700’s two girls had miscarriages with deformed babies, and the bodies were dug up and used to accuse the women of having demon children. Sounds like it could be fun!
Don’t be fooled though, it’s not purely fun and games for all Salem residents. Anyone who has lived in Salem during the month of October knows, things can get out of hand. For this reason, it is easy to understand why a lot of students will not be staying on campus, or even in town for the festivities. 
For instance, Red Skies Arts & Poetry editor Lydia Gravell will be heading home for the holiday, where she will be handing out candy to the Trick or Treaters, and eating whatever is left over with her boyfriend.
Jim Wright will also be out of town. Wright is going home to spend the holiday with his family in Williamsville. “I have two little sisters, who I am taking trick or treating around my neighborhood,” said the proud big brother when prompted for his plans.
In other plans, freshman Matthew Gear will probably be working, but his sister, junior Lyndsey Gear, will be g
oing downtown dressed as Hermione Granger, from the Harry Potter series.
There are also students like Colleen, a Junior at SSC who will not see Lyndsey’s costume, as she likes to stay in Salem on Halloween but will not join the crowd this year. “I love seeing Salem so alive. Going down in November is always so depressing, it’s like a ghost town,” says Colleen. Despite her love for Salem, and the fact that she lives right downtown, she has decided to pass up on spending her Halloween in the center of it all – she’s done it before. Instead she will either stay in her apartment, enjoying watching the hectic town, or go to a friend’s house where she will hand out candy.
Some other ideas for those who are still unsure of their Halloween plans as to include locking yourself in and watching AMC’s Fear Fest, heading out to a costume party (Salem’s full of them), going trick or treating yourself, or decking out your pad for the onslaught of trick or treaters.
One thing that most students can agree on is that you have to go do
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Wonder if you’ll be tres chic or just another Halloween cliché this year? Check out what are likely to be the most popular costumes this year! And just for laughs, check out these costumes. |
Amanda Taylor is a senior majoring in English with a concentration in Professional Writing and a minor in History. At this moment her hobbies include writing for Red Skies as well as doing creative writing on the side, and hanging out with her boyfriend.