By Scott Mitchell Atkinson
Special for The State News
Miniature versions of Harry Potter, The Incredible Hulk, vampires and witches roamed the streets of East Lansing in search of games and candy with their parents at the seventh annual Safe Halloween Celebration on Friday.
The event was hosted by the greek community on M.A.C. Avenue between Burcham Drive and Elizabeth Street.
The event was funded by donations, mostly from the 36 greek houses involved. About $1,100 was spent on candy alone.
Zoology senior Dorothy Harris brought her son, Joey Harris, to the event dressed as Michaelangelo from the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."
"I think it's wonderful, the college community sponsoring this," she said.
Kara Paige, co-coordinator of the event and member of Pi Beta Phi, went to six elementary schools, a variety of churches and preschools and handed out 1,000 flyers in the East Lansing area to advertise the event.
Several games were offered, including a football throw, basketball toss, soccer kick, hockey shoot and a ring toss, while the Uptown DJs played music for the children to dance to.
Children played until they won, receiving candy as their reward.
Different stations also were set up throughout the street where children could receive temporary tattoos, paint pumpkins and decorate Halloween cookies. During the "candy in hay" event, children searched through hay on the ground for hidden candy.
The children also were able to visit the haunted Kappa Delta sorority house.
"It's really for the community, not for us, even though it's fun," said Mindy Golub, journalism senior and president of Sigma Delta Tau.
Fraternity and sorority members dressed in costumes as well, ranging from sumo wrestlers to Neo from "The Matrix" trilogy.
"It's a lot of fun," said finance sophomore Eric Shallal-Ayzin, while helping children make their baskets and collect candy at the basketball toss.
"I'm enjoying it."
The event has increased its popularity and recognition over the years, Paige said. This year, for the first time, the Make-A-Wish Foundation was present. It was run by members of the MSU STARS organization, which raises funds and recruits for the foundation.
"We partnered up with the greek system for this event because we thought it would be something really cool for Wish families to come to," communication senior Juliette Plummer said.
Linda Gray, a mother of a Make-A-Wish child, said she was glad the event was a safe place for her and her children to come to.
"It's always nice to give something back to the community," said Craig Solgat, criminal justice junior and philanthropy chairman for Delta Sigma Phi.
