Early Halloween for kids at Manhattan College campus

If it’s Halloween, then it’s time for Manhattan College students to provide a safe and happy event on the Riverdale college’s campus.

MC Halloween is a long-running tradition for the Lasallian school. Although renamed MC Halloween from “Safe Halloween,” it continues the same traditions as its predecessor before Covid.

The event will run from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m on Oct. 27. Those children attending will need to be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or an adult over the age of 18. It will be held at 4513 Manhattan College Parkway, across the street from Kelly Commons.

“It started so these kids from all around the neighborhood can come and be able to have a safe trick-or-treating experience,” said Maeve Ammirati, the co-vice president of campus and community for Kappa Delta Pi. “It’s very professional, we want people to be able to come and just have a fun time to get dressed up.”

The event is hosted by the education honor society Kappa Delta Pi with more than 20 Manhattan College clubs participating. Students of the Riverdale community will get to experience different Halloween-themed educational activities.

“It’s just a super fun experience for (the children of Riverdale) and it’s also great because it brings together everyone in our community as well as the children and we get to enrich their lives,” said Victoria Pascale, the co-vice president of campus and community for Kappa Delta Pi.

MC Halloween will be held in three different places on campus: De La Salle Hall, the quadrangle and Miguel Hall. Within the two halls, children will go from room to room and participate in the various activities that Manhattan College students have prepared. After completing the activity, they will receive treats to get in the Halloween spirit. Outside on the Quadrangle, there will be athletic games for the children to enjoy.

Funding for the event’s decorations and treats will come from the clubs’ own fundraising efforts. Every classroom will have its own theme ranging from classic Halloween characters like Frankenstein, and the Mummy to movie themes like Spider-man, Wizard of Oz, Disney, and much more. The themes were chosen for each individual club.

There will also be a book drive where eventgoers can see the donated children’s books given by the Manhattan College community, and choose to take home any of the books at the station.

On the day of the event, there will be members of the Manhattan College community who will be able to guide Riverdale community members to ensure well-being and proficiency.

“We’re a safe campus and we’re going to have lots of people supervising, making sure everything’s going as planned. Everything’s staying safe with the kids,” Ammirati said.

Advisor of Kappa Delta Pi, Ruth Zealand addressed why the event is a treasure to the Riverdale community.

“It’s a way of celebrating the fall and having fun and engaging activities that families look forward to every year,” Zealand said. “It’s the highlight of activities for some of the parents, one of the faculty members told me recently that it’s a real highlight for the family to come.”