This weekend, students across campus will be attending Halloween parties, dressed up in elaborate costumes. However, some students will be spending their Halloween a little bit differently.

The University Ice Arena will be hosting their annual “Spooky Skate,” for both students and C-U community members this Sunday from 1:30 to 4 p.m. 

Julia Ghering, junior in AHS, is looking forward to her third year at “Spooky Skate.”

“It’s open to everyone and the cost is $2 for students,” Ghering said. “It’s free if you dress up, and I will be dressing as Where’s Waldo.”

Ghering initially heard about the event her freshman year through friends in her dorm and has attended ever since. Many students have already RSVP’d on the Facebook event created by the University Ice Arena.

“It’s a lot of fun. They play Halloween music, you get to dress up, and it’s a good way to take a break in the heat of midterms,” Ghering said. “It’s just a great way to get in the spirit of Halloween.”

Downtown Champaign is also hosting a number of events at local restaurants that students are participating in. Radio Maria, a local bar and restaurant, is hosting a “Trick & Treat” event offering drink deals and a costume contest. Winners of the costume competition will receive a $25 gift certificate to Ragstock and a $15 bar tab for the night. The event will be hosted from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m Monday.

Eve Mason, senior in LAS, said she is looking forward to the Radio Maria event which she is attending with her friends.

“When I go out I like to go Downtown. It’s more of an adult feel and different from campus apartment and frat parties,” Mason said.

The event has more than just competitions and prizes; there will be three local DJs scheduled to play different themed sets. Mason’s friend will be hosting the event, which is another incentive for her to attend. She describes herself as a regular at Radio Maria when she goes out on weekends in the Downtown Champaign area.

“They are clearing the entire restaurant so people can dance to the music,” Mason said. “The atmosphere will be more energetic than a regular day.”

Radio Maria often hosts events year-round, though the Halloween party hosted this year is a new addition to the schedule.

Illini Hillel has coordinated its third annual Halloween barn dance at Farm Lake on Nov. 3.

Eitan Troyansky, junior in LAS, is in charge of the event and urged students to attend.

“It’s a good time and not a religious-specific event, although Hillel is a religious organization,” Troyansky said.

The event is open to all ages and alcoholic drinks will be available to those who are 21 and older. There is also a Facebook event for the dance where students can make song requests for the night.

Troyansky said the event is not date-specific and is not affiliated with Greek life. This will be Troyanksy’s second Halloween barn dance with Hillel, and he is looking forward to meeting up with friends. The events in the past have had a good turnout and people seem to enjoy them.

Troyansky said that 120 students attended the first year and nearly 100 students attended last year.

“Halloween is a good opportunity to host a big event,” Troyansky said. “Barn dances are popular around campus, so it seemed like a good idea to have one.”

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