While Oxford offers plenty of Halloween activities, entertainment for the fall holiday geared toward college students may be overlooked.
As local organizations and businesses host trunk-or-treat events and other family-friendly Halloween activities, some University of Mississippi students say there are limited options that appeal to young adults. With the Ole Miss vs Auburn football game falling on Saturday, Oct. 31, some businesses are shifting their focus to serving large crowds and not to celebrating the holiday.
One event students are missing this year is the haunted house previously hosted by The Library Sports Bar. Previously, The Library has organized an annual haunted house, but that event will not be featured this year.
Some students say the lack of nearby options leaves them looking toward other cities, such as Memphis and Tupelo, Miss., for Halloween entertainment.
Lucy Ledford, a freshman from Madison, Miss., said she was surprised by the limited availability of traditional fall activities in Oxford.
“I’m a freshman, so I don’t really know much about Oxford, but I am surprised by the lack of haunted houses or hayrides or even pumpkin patches in Oxford,” Ledford said. “I guess everyone assumes that since it’s a mostly college town, then all the (college-aged) kids will be just going to parties, but I genuinely enjoy the fun fall festivities and am sad there hasn’t really been any like there are in my hometown.”
Ava Gee, a junior film production major from Madison, Miss., said she believes Halloween activities should appeal to more than just young children.
“Halloween should be fun for everyone, not just little kids,” Gee said.
Gee also said she would not personally make the drive to some of the area’s haunted attractions, including Haunted Hill and Haunted Web Scream Park, noting that the driving distance would be
For students looking to experience a traditional haunted attraction, nearby options include Oak Hill Ranch Haunted Trail in Water Valley, Miss., and the Haunted Slaughter Plant in Pontotoc, Miss. Other attractions are available in the greater Tupelo and Memphis areas.
However, some nearby attractions have trouble drawing in university students.
Asher Cook, a scare actor at the Pontotoc Haunted House and sophomore political science major from St. Louis, said he has not seen many university students visit the attraction, which he attributed to a lack of awareness about its location.
“Unfortunately, I don’t see many Ole Miss students (visiting) due to no one having knowledge about this place,” Cook said.
This is Cook’s first year working at the haunted house. He said most of the attraction’s visitors are locals, Oxford residents and students who grew up in the surrounding area, including students attending Itawamba Community College.
Cook estimated that the haunted house receives approximately 300 or more visitors each day it operates. He also predicted attendance could increase significantly during Halloween weekend, particularly Saturday, Oct. 31, although he believes the university’s football game could affect how many Oxford residents attend.
“I can assume that production will triple this weekend, especially Saturday with families,” Cook said. “However, with the football game, I’d assume the number of Oxford residents will go down.”
Despite the challenges of attracting visitors from outside the area, Cook said he believes the haunted house remains an important part of the Halloween season.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think this haunted house attracts outside residents very often,” Cook said. “However, I think it’s an important and fun part of the Halloween season.”
