Howl organizers bring big changes
This year Howl organizers will lower the limit of tickets sold, change the setup of the line to get in and provide a more diverse array of entertainment.
There will be less tickets sold for USU’s annual Halloween party the Howl, said Kellen Hansen, activities director for the Student Traditions and Activities Board (STAB). He said this year’s carnival-themed dance party, entitled “CarnEvil,” will be limited to 6,000 people, as opposed to last year when about 7,000 people attended.
“Last year, you couldn’t get from one place to the other in a timely fashion,” Hansen said.
With less people and more spread-out activities, Hansen said he hopes the event will be less cramped and more enjoyable.
In addition to live bands, such as Cartel, who will play in the TSC ballroom, Hansen said there will be a variety of entertainment such as a dance in the Fieldhouse, carnival games and dancing clowns.
The organization of the line is different this year, he said. It will be split into two lines, both going into the west entrance of the TSC. Hansen said the split will facilitate a faster-moving line while giving more space for USU Police to work if any issues surface.
One of this year’s goals for the Howl is to make the line more streamlined, said Kevin Webb, program coordinator and STAB adviser. The bottom floor of the TSC will be designated for costume and ID checks.
“We’re breaking up where they get their prop check done and their ID check and where we’re going to take their tickets and wristbands,” Webb said. “(It) should make things faster and more streamlined.”
Hansen said students will be provided with entertainment while waiting in line.
“Before you even get into the building you’ll get to see some pretty cool stuff,” he said.
Some of the cool stuff includes fire breathers and fire dancers, Hansen said. The line will be filled with pyro-technicians, who intend to hype people up for the dance inside.
Live bands are scheduled to play in the TSC Ballroom, Hansen said. Attendees can also watch dancing clowns or play carnival games in the TSC International Lounge.
“We’re going to have carnival games,” Hansen said. “We’re going to have 20 games that are full-sized carnival games,” Hansen said. “We’ve got some prizes for them, (attendees) don’t have to pay for them, they just show up and they play the games, from milk bottle toss to dart throwing.”
Along with the carnival games, Hansen said there will be stilt walkers, a snake charmer, a couple of professional clowns and a fortune teller.
He said he wants to “engage you longer than just a split second to look at something, but to play a game or win a prize.”
This year’s student dance crews will engage students by providing a creepy atmosphere all around the Howl said Krissy Fry, artistic director for the student dance crews Full Circle, Vilociti and My Bad Crew.
“They’re setting up stages throughout the whole Howl,” Fry said. “Instead of us being just in one area, we’re going to be all over the place this year.”
Fry said all 53 dancers will wear clown costumes and makeup to carry the theme throughout the event. She said they have had professors from a few departments help the dancers prepare.
“We’ve had people from the theatre department come and do acting classes with them,” Fry said. “We have some professionals this year that are doing all of our theatrical makeup and our hair.”
The dancers will also perform at the dance in the Fieldhouse with DJ Marcus Wing, Fry said.
Hansen said Highpoint Gymnastics will perform tricks on trampolines behind the DJ.
STAB volunteers will also be present in all dance areas, said Zach Larsen, ASUSU Programing vice president. He said they will do everything from meeting the performers needs to decorating and checking students for appropriate costumes.
“We have a logistics team who’s going to be charge of the line,” Larsen said. “They’re going to be taking tickets, putting wristbands on and making sure nobody has props, masks and any weapons.”
Larsen said if anyone wants to volunteer they can send their request via email to STAB@usu.edu.
– chris.w.lee@aggiemail.usu.edu