Minh Hua
Campus Beat Reporter
As the Halloween season descends upon the town of Isla Vista, various Associated Students offices have ramped up efforts to keep Halloween local and safe for I.V. The “Keep It Safe, Keep It Local” campaign represents an effort to provide alternative Halloween events, ranging from a skating event at the Recreational Center to a concert in the Thunderdome.
According to Office of the Registrar representative Emma Parker, “The goal of this campaign is to foster a safe community for the people who live here and encourage local residents not to invite non-residents, who are not invested in our community in the same way those who live here are.”
Although Halloween is on Wednesday, the partying is expected to start on Friday, Oct. 26 and end on Sunday, Oct. 28. As a result, the campaign is hosting a variety of alternative events in the same timeframe.
On Friday, Oct. 26, the UCSB Department of Recreation, Office of Student Life, and Life of the Party is hosting a skating event named “Hallowheels” at the Rec Cen from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. According to the Associated Students Halloween website, the event will feature a DJ, a big screen movie, pizza, pumpkin painting, a photobooth, and a costume contest. Skates are provided free of charge.
Also on Friday, Magic Lantern Films is hosting a show of Halloweentown at 10 p.m. and a midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Campbell Hall. Tickets are $4 and there will be a costume contest, face painting, shadow cast, and virgin sacrifice, according to the Magic Lantern Films Facebook page.
On Saturday, A.S. Program Board is hosting a concert in the Thunderdome titled “Delirium,” featuring artist Young Thug with support from Social House. The concert is set to start at 8 p.m. and end at 12 a.m. Tickets are $5 and a valid UC Santa Barbara student ID is required for entry. As of the writing of this story, the concert has been sold out.
The events will round out with “Halloclean”, a volunteer effort to clean up I.V., hosted by the Isla Vista Recreation & Park District on Sunday, Oct. 28.
“Isla Vista has been much quieter the last several Halloweens. What was once an opportunity to invite friends from out of town has become a community-focused celebration, which is much safer and less destructive than the Halloween celebrations of the past,” said Parker.
With efforts to provide a more community-focused celebration, A.S. Public Safety Commission is also operating UCIV, a public volunteering program that provides information about resources available to the community during Halloween and warns residents in violation of ordinances.
Additionally, the A.S. Office of the External Vice President for Local Affairs (EVPLA) will provide hydration stations and portable bathrooms at multiple locations in I.V.
A.S. Take Back the Night will be hosting a Safe Space on the second floor of the Pardall Center for anyone who may feel triggered or harassed during Halloween.
“We’re looking forward to another successful, fun Halloween weekend. There are so many great events planned — something for everyone! It’s a great time to be a Gaucho,” said Parker.
Gauchos interested in important legal and safety information during Halloween can visit https://halloween.as.ucsb.edu/