There are several opportunities and ideas available for college students to celebrate Halloween all around Searcy with local church ministries, students and organizations.

A group of several science organizations are hosting tours of the tunnels underneath Harding University on Halloween night.
The tours will consist of two options: one for those who would like to walk through and see the tunnels, and another for those who want a haunted tunnel experience.

Senior Claire Keisling, president of the Biology Club, describes what to expect in the haunted tunnels.

“We will have your typical haunted house: scary decorations, scary music and people jumping out at you,” Keisling said.

Keisling said she is excited about this event due to the lack of celebratory Halloween options in Searcy.

“I feel like there aren’t really many haunted houses around here, especially in Searcy,” Keisling said. “Since Halloween is on a Thursday, people will want to be involved, because of the fact that it is here on campus.”

Junior Heather King said she enjoys the opportunity for creative expression Halloween provides, and has always loved the sense of community it can bring.

“Halloween is a time where you get to just be creative and express yourself in different ways,” King said. “It’s also just the weather and the community that it brings.”

King said she tries to think of new ways each year she and people around her can get involved in celebrating the holiday on and around campus. King encouraged others to celebrate their friend groups, send encouraging notes and dress up together.

King said it is important for students to get involved in the community and make connections during this time of celebration.

“Volunteer at some of the places that you can do trunk-or-treat at by decorating up your trunk and going out for a few hours just handing out candy to kids,” King said.

Junior Lindsey Bender, female senior representative and head of the White County Relations Committee, said the Student Association is hosting a trunk-or-treat for the community at the Carmichael Center in hopes of getting students more involved in the community.

“Different ministries that work with children are going to be bringing their kids, and it is going to be a good way for students to be able to have a trunk with their treats,” Bender said.

Bender wants students to experience a sense of community on and beyond Harding’s campus.