It has been a while since many Elon students have gone trick-or-treating such as Elon University’s senior Alessia Mercuri. The Station at Mill Point decided to bring back this childhood activity by welcoming university students, faculty, and local families on Oct. 31 for its Mill Point trick-or-treat, allowing Mercuri, along with other students to relive the experience.
“This event is an incredible opportunity to contribute to our community and interact with those that live in, and around, campus,” Mercuri said.
Mercuri is not the only member of the Elon community with a Halloween spirit. Amanda Alberti, community director for the Station at Mill Point and coordinator of leadership programs, is one of the head members in charge of planning and facilitating this Sunday's event. Alberti said not only will the event be enjoyable, but it will follow COVID-19 precautions. Being this is Alberti’s first year working at Millpoint, she said she jumped at the chance to help run the event and see it from the inside perspective.
As a way to recover from COVID-19, Residence Life paired with the Senior Class Giving Fund to make this Halloween unique, according to Alberti. The event will feature lawn games and opportunities to paint pumpkins, along with other Halloween-themed activities.
Mill Point will host two food trucks in the parking lot and they'll be partnering with seniors who have donated to the Senior Class Giving Fund to get the tickets for the food truck. Families and community members will also be able to buy items from the food trucks with cash.
Alberti also said Residence Life will provide candy to the students who live at Mill Point to give out to anyone who wants to trick or treat. In the past, the Mill Point event has seen over 100 trick or treaters, according to Alberti.
Students were sent a survey asking if they were interested in giving out candy to children and families. According to Alberti, Students who decide to participate are encouraged to sit out on their front porch and give out the treats.
“That way people don't have to worry about masks, comfort levels, and people coming into the building,” Alberti said.
Mercuri said she is looking forward to the event as a way to get involved in the campus community, while reminiscing on her own past experiences.
“I know my younger self would be so happy to have college students volunteer to make sure my Halloween was incredible,” Mercuri said. ”We really jumped at the opportunity to do so.”