NEWS
Alternative activities attract some over holiday weekend
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Matthew Dolbey:
Related Stories:
- Union South gets freaky in own way (October 31, 2006)
- Halloween law-breakers could face academic penalties (October 29, 2004)
- Kohl Center hosts Kids' Day (October 31, 2003)
- Contrary to popular belief ... sober activities exist (February 27, 2003)
- City, UW hoping for safe Halloween (October 28, 2004)
by Matthew Dolbey
Monday, November 3, 2003
Student groups, the University of Wisconsin and other individuals coordinated several events over the weekend, giving Wisconsinites and out-of-towners alike various alternatives to the tradition of dressing up in costume and walking down State Street in a drunken state.
“[Our committee] felt it was our responsibility to provide students with alternatives,” director of the Wisconsin Union Directorate Community Service Committee Anna Becker said.
Becker reported in an interview that the committee helped in setting up varied activities that provided students with options other than the ritual State Street saunter.
The movie “Cannibal Holocaust” was shown at 9 p.m. at the Memorial Union, giving students ample opportunity to come out of the cold and enjoy fellowship with fellow non-partiers. A concert at the Rathskeller also gave some Halloween-inspired entertainment. In addition, Scary Karaoke at Union South gave students a chance to warm up away from the action on the isthmus.
A video-game tournament at the Academic Resources and Computers in Housing at Gordon Commons was also held Friday, and UW recreational sports facilities were open late until 1 a.m.
The games room at Union South was open until bar time Saturday and charged students five-dollars for unlimited pool, bowling, table tennis and popcorn. The Rathskeller also took its turn at hosting Scary Karaoke Saturday, starting at 9:30 p.m.
Another big event Saturday was the Killer Party 2003, hosting multiple bands and local acts, providing sonic enjoyment for the multitudes. UW senior Sean Garster was at the scene nearby Library Mall to see the band Room Service, and he considered it a good thing to offer alternatives in Madison.
“I think it’s great,” Garster said, even though he doubts other events stop people from partying on State Street, but it offers a place to avoid the hustle, for at least awhile,” he said. “It brings more people [off] of State Street … and calms them down.”
Though many activities revolved around entertaining students, many more were community-service oriented. One such event was a food drive Wednesday that turned out many volunteers and donors, with the Wisconsin Student Public Interest Group helping to put the event together.
“The drive was a great success,” organizer Emily Larson said in an e-mail. “People were incredibly generous, and we exceeded our highest expectations. It was also a fun way to get involved in the community and raise awareness for the issues surrounding hunger and homelessness.”
Becker said the “Trick or Treat so Kids Can Eat” program gathered an “SUV full of food,” and was pleased with the results.
“Trick or Treat with the Greeks,” organized by the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association, gave children an opportunity to tour the downtown area Thursday night, where fraternities and sororities held candy giveaways, pumpkin painting, games and a haunted house, among other things.
