Three months ago, MU senior Thomas Bourneuf began planning for Fall Welcome Week’s Target After Hours Shopping Event.

After intense preparation, Bourneuf was able to recruit more than 50 returning MU students to work the event that helped freshmen prepare for the weeks ahead. The event was part of a nationwide promotion through Target that sponsors said have been held for six years.

Students were able to catch a ride to Columbia Mall’s Target through free bus services. The shuttles picked students up at a variety of locations on campus and provided enough space for students to bring back all the items they purchased.

When the doors of Target reopened for after-hours shopping at 10:30 p.m., a flood of students rushed into the store’s previously empty aisles. As they walked through the doors, upperclassmen dressed in bright red “Welcome to College” shirts handed them goodie bags stuffed with products from brands like Neutrogena and Purell, as well as a coupon book with deals on items necessary for dorm life.

As students walked throughout the store, friendly faces and familiar products greeted them. Customers were given free samples of Vitamin Water, dental floss, Axe shower gel and a pack of ID by Stride gum.

The event also included a disc jockey so students could dance down the aisles while shopping for items at lowered prices. A group of students got on a temporary dance floor to participate in well-known dances such as the Macarena and the Wobble.

Through the promotion “Text to Win,” students were able to use their cellphones to win grand prizes, such as a mini fridge filled with food and soft drinks or an iPad. The event also utilized technology through its bull’s-eye logo on stickers that gave students new deals throughout the night when scanned into the Target mobile app.

When the event concluded at 12:30 a.m., more than 1,000 MU students had rummaged through Target’s aisles.

“I spent over 50 dollars on things for my dorm, but it was worth it because I had a fun time with my friends and got to use the $5-off coupon that they handed out at the Midnight Barbeque,” freshman Emily Christian said.

Other students, such as freshman Lance Kiser, said they regretted not being able to attend the event.

“I didn’t hear about it until after I had already made plans,” Kiser said. “I wish I would have gone. I could have really used that free Axe.”