Students ready to dress up and Howl
Students, get your costumes ready.
The Howl, hosted by ASUSU, is one of the largest Halloween parties in the state and will be happening Saturday night in the Taggart Student Center and the Fieldhouse.
Kimmy Freeman, senior majoring in interior design, said the Howl is one experience that separates USU from other colleges.
“The Howl is a tradition for Utah State,” Freeman said. “It is something the Aggies cannot do without.”
The Howl has been a popular USU tradition for the past 27 years. Megan Smith, activities director at USU, said the party will be an exciting event, and she anticipates a large turnout.
“We are planning somewhere between 4 to 5 thousand people,” she said. “Last year there were about 4,200 people, and the year before had about 4,300. However, the year before that had nearly 6,000 attend.”
This year, most things will remain the same as from years in the past. Music, dancing and food will be strewn around different rooms in the TSC, Smith said.
“In the Sunburst Lounge, we will have three bands performing throughout the course of the night,” Smith said. “It should be a lot of fun.”
Also, the Juniper Room will be transformed into the Pumpkin Lounge, she said. This will be the place to get a taste of delicious dry-ice root beer, Smith said, and the Walnut Room will also be filled with excitement as it will have a photographer to take pictures of the students in their costumes for free with admission.
In the Ballroom, Smith said there will be even more activities.
“We are bringing the hypnotist back this year,” she said. “Last year there was not a hypnotist, but we decided to try it again this year.”
Three separate hypnotist shows will be spread throughout the course of the evening, each beginning at 9 and 10:30 p.m. and midnight.
With many of the same activities as in the past, Smith said one change has been made to ensure the safety of the students in attendance.
“This year the entrance into the Howl will be through the Fieldhouse,” Smith said. “Students will be required to walk through barriers from the Fieldhouse to the TSC. There will be entertainment and activities going on at the Fieldouse, such as two bands and the USU Dance Company performing. It should be a lot of fun. We just hope it doesn’t confuse people to have things going on over there,” Smith said.
If students want to attend the Howl, they can buy tickets ahead of time in the Ticket Office by Saturday at 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., students will be required to buy the tickets down at the Spectrum Ticket Office. Smith said tickets are $10 for USU students and $20 for students from other schools if they are purchased in advance. At the door, they will be $15 and $25.
“Students need to be aware that there are limits on tickets,” she said. “Students can only purchase two tickets at the student price, and only 3 non-student tickets.”
Props, weapons, masks or generally offensive material will not be permitted inside the Howl, Smith said. She also wants students to be aware that ID will be required to enter the party.
“No one under 18 will be permitted inside (the Howl),” she said.
Law enforcement will be prevalent at the party, Smith said, including USU Police and Logan Police.
“There will be a police officer in every room and multiple police at the doors,” Smith said. “Having the police everywhere is not a new thing.”
ASUSU hopes the Howl will continue to be a tradition for years to come, Smith said, providing a great Halloween experience for students.
The Howl will begin at 8:30 p.m. and will last until 1 a.m.
-courtnie.packer@aggiemail.usu.edu