Kent State students continued the Halloweekend tradition of spooky-themed bar crawls and house parties this past weekend.

Students decided they would celebrate Halloween the weekend before Oct. 31 and also the weekend of, per a poll run by Barstool Kent’s Instagram page. The Instagram post also encouraged students to dress up both weekends. 

Gaggles of ghouls and ghosts lined the sidewalks of downtown Kent, waiting to enter their favorite bars. One in particular was Griffin Owen, a senior digital media production major. Owen noticed the difference in foot traffic from last year to this year’s festivities. 

“I was here last year,” Owen said. “I do not remember it being this crazy.” 

Owen wasn’t the only one who noticed the packed streets. Graduate assistants Will Bender and Emily Thomas had the foresight to stop at Dominick’s early, but left.

“It’s so busy,” Thomas said. “We’re just trying to have a good night out at the bars.” 

Though the wait times to enter the bars were extensive, students’ spirits were high. Senior dance major Lalah Sanah Brown spent the night with her friends. 

“I’m here with my girls,” Brown said. “I’m having the time of my life.” 

Brown said she views the holiday as an opportunity to connect with people who wear the same costume as her. 

“The environment of Kent is freaking amazing,” Brown said. “You have all these people dedicated to the bit. You have people dressing up, you’re meeting people that are dressed the same as you.” 

Despite the long waits, cooler temperatures and less sunlight courtesy of daylight saving time, many students stayed out for the whole night. 

“In my opinion, it’s the best college holiday,” Bender, who was dressed as Nightwing, said. “If you’re in college and looking to celebrate, this is the best weekend to do it.”

Lexie Blatnik is a beat reporter. Contact her at [email protected].