FSL Halloween Highlights: Safety Tips and Upcoming Events!
Happy Halloween! As the holiday season begins, here’s how to celebrate responsibly on and off campus while keeping health and safety in mind.
Health and Wellness Tips
Making Smart Choices
- Be sure to eat and hydrate before heading out
- Stay in groups and stick with the friends you came with
- Avoid mixing substances throughout the night
- Opt out of drinking unknown beverages such as “jungle juice”
- Seek help if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable
- Use a Safe Ride if you are traveling on campus, or use a ride-share app if off campus
Costume Awareness
- Be respectful with your costume decisions. It’s important to be mindful of different cultures and avoid wearing anything that could be seen as offensive. The best rule of thumb is that if you are unsure if it is inappropriate, it’s best not to risk it.
Out of Town Travel
- For those who are traveling to other universities (JMU, Radford, UVA, VCU, etc.), be sure to look into the town and school policies. Before arriving, secure a safe place to stay during your time there, organize safe rides, and make yourself aware of the different alcohol laws. Parties can get overcrowded when students from different universities attend, so stay with the group you came with and leave if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Share your location with friends you came with in case anyone becomes separated in an unknown place.
Alternative Activities
- You can make the most of the Halloween and fall season by choosing local events that keep safety and well-being at the center of the celebration. Look into local pumpkin patches, apple picking, haunted houses, Halloween movie nights, fall festivals, corn mazes, and cooking nights.
Upcoming Events
- Oak Lane Trick or Treat - Sunday, October 26th, 2025, from 1-4 pm
- Hosted by the Panhellenic Council. Chapters will showcase themed costumes for families from the Blacksburg and Christiansburg area.
- Downtown Blacksburg Trick or Treat - Friday, October 31st, 2025, from 3-6 pm
- Trick-or-treating downtown with Halloween games presented by Blacksburg Parks and Recreation, plus a dog costume contest and an all-ages costume contest.
Have a safe, enjoyable Halloween. Chapter leaders: see the graphic below for accessible information to share with your chapter.
