Little firefighters, princesses, puppies, bumblebees and Hershey’s Kisses tromped through brightly colored leaves in East Lansing in the cold on Friday.
Strings of pumpkin lights, a haunted house, candy and games drew local children, parents and students to Safe Halloween, an alternative Halloween event put together by MSU’s sororities and fraternities.
All sorority houses on M.A.C. Avenue between Elizabeth Street and Burcham Drive participated in their fifth annual block party. Some greek chapter, ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, and the city of East Lansing funded the event.
Food industry management junior Courtney Nudelman coordinated the event. She said the point of the party is to provide a safe environment where kids can trick-or-treat and give college students a chance to interact with children.
“Kids are able to interact in a more friendly atmosphere,” she said. “Everyone is running around laughing, screaming and having a great time.”
Nudelman said the chapters planned the event a year in advance.
A moonwalk, dunk tank, a Velcro jumping wall and snow cones were some of the new attractions.
Nudelman said the greeks get phenomenal feedback from the public. Many people are happy there is a place to bring their kids around Halloween, she said.
Grosse Pointe Park resident Mary Rowan brought her grandson, William Rowan, 1, of East Lansing, dressed as a bumblebee.
“He is having a wonderful time,” she said. “It’s so nice to see them doing stuff for the little guys.”
Telecommunication senior Kevin Smith of Kappa Sigma said it is great the greeks can give back to the community by interacting with kids.
“The kids are the future,” he said. “We have to start ’em young and show them what the greeks are all about.”
Elementary education senior Chrissie Serafin said her professor’s two kids were excited to be getting candy from everyone.
“They love it, and it’s so much fun,” Serafin said.
“They can walk into the houses, and everyone is there to help them.”
The East Lansing police and fire departments were also at the event. Lt. Tim Hull of the fire department said he always enjoy these kinds of events.
“We let the kids come through the truck, and they can sit behind the wheel and pretend like they are driving,” he said. “They think we are cool.”
