The leaves are beginning to dust the ground on Kuhlman Court. Starbucks has released its fall drinks, a hoodie is an essential for morning classes and students are stressing over midterms. September has come and gone, and we are now ushering in October. October at MU means the weather is finally dropping to reasonable temperatures, and everyone is making their Halloweekend plans. 

For many students, Halloween is a month-long celebration – meaning it is time to cram in those quintessential Halloween endeavors between classes and homework. 

Events

Columbia knows how to cater to its college-aged community, meaning a plethora of ghoulish activities are planned throughout the month for thrill seekers and cozy activity enthusiasts alike.

The Mizzou Spooktacular will be held in the Student Center on Oct. 24 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. This event will feature all-you-can-eat pizza and candy, pumpkin carving, a haunted house, face painting and tarot readers!

If students prefer their All Hallow’s Eve activities more rough-and-tumble, they should consider the CoMo Roller Derby Halloween MashUp Bout: THE GLAM SLAM on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 10:30 p.m. Sign ups are open to our daring readers, but for those who want to watch the action from a safe distance, tickets to watch the event will be $10 at the door. There will be a costume contest at halftime and opportunities to win raffle baskets.

For the fans of MU Improv, consider attending the “Axe-idents Happen” show by improv group The Ponies on Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m.  This comedy show will feature spooky bits such as a dating game with ghosts, a vampire crystal ball and “What if Frankenstein Made a New Choice?”

Distant Planet Comics will be hosting a Halloweenfest on Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring free comic books and candy and a printmaking demo by special artist Shelly Forbis. This event will also hold a costume contest, so come dressed as your favorite comic character! Attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately for a family-friendly party. 

For our 21+ audience, Apparition Columbia is a must attend. This “Spook Easy” opened on Oct. 4 and runs through Nov. 3 at Hexagon Alley. According to their website, at this event you will, “Step through the veil and into the land of the dead for a rare chance to consume cocktails and concoctions ripped straight from your wildest nightmares.” You can register for the event using this link. 

Movies

October would not be complete without classic Halloween movies. On Halloween night, Regal Columbia will be doing a 3D showing of “Coraline” at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. That same night, Ragtag Cinema will host a special showing of “Beetlejuice” at 7 p.m. If you want to keep the Halloween vibes going into November, Lakeside Ashland Outdoor is doing a drive-in showing of “Hocus Pocus” and “Hocus Pocus 2.” Gates will open at 5 p.m. and the first movie will show at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 per car, and Lakeside Ashland is a cashless facility.

Haunted locations

Whether you are a believer or not, visiting a “haunted” location with friends is the perfect off-campus Halloween festivity. Holly McGee, director of the Columbia Paranormal Research Society, is a veteran paranormal researcher and according to her, Columbia is one of the biggest hotspots in Missouri for paranormal activity. 

The first infamous location is the Haden House off of Highway 763. The Haden House was constructed in 1831 and housed Joel Haden, Sarah Haden and their daughter. Sarah Haden, who died of typhoid during the mid-1830s, is the supposed spirit of this residence. Two businesses have called the Haden House home since the Hadens left, but both have failed- reportedly due to the scorn of Sarah. Employees have reported seeing apparitions of her in doorways, dishes being broken and objects moving of their own volition. This location would be best to visit from the safety of inside a car, as it is frequently the scene of gang-related activity. But it is a spooky location that could safely be viewed from a distance. 

Jewell Cemetery is reportedly home to the apparition of Cynthia E. Jewell, who died in 1892. She has supposedly been seen passing through the Waffle House property to get to the cemetery behind it. 

Centralia Battlefield has been personally investigated by the Columbia Paranormal Research Society, which left a recording device on-site overnight. Upon reviewing the recordings, the investigators heard sounds of cannon fire and gunshots.

Local farms

For those who want to visit a less spooky but still autumnal location, Shyrocks Callaway Farms is the perfect October activity. This farm features a corn maze, a pumpkin patch and roaring campfires for friends to gather around. Tickets are $12 for adults.

Hickory Ridge Orchards is another great farm location that offers apple picking, pumpkins and mums, home baked goods, hay rides, corn maze and a farm animal petting zoo. Each activity requires a certain number of tickets, which cost $1 each.  

As October unfolds at Mizzou, it invites students and locals alike to embrace the spirit of the season. With a rich tapestry of events ranging from spooky festivities and haunted explorations to cozy autumnal activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re indulging in Halloween treats at the Spooktacular, catching a thrilling roller derby match or exploring the eerie corners of Columbia, this month is a perfect blend of fun, fright and fall flavors. So grab your friends, put on your favorite sweater and immerse yourself in all the excitement that October has to offer. Here’s to a month filled with unforgettable memories and Halloween adventures!

Edited by Alyssa Royston | aroyston@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Micah Shulman and Emma Short | eshort@themaneater.com

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com