Started in the late 1980s, Trick-Or-Treating on the Lawn has been one of UVA’s biggest traditions during the month of October. This year it will be held on October 31st from 4-6pm, and while it is not on the list of “115 Things To Do Before You Graduate” I would definitely recommend attending at least once in your 4 years at UVA.
Trick-Or-Treating on the Lawn is open to the university and the local community, but the people who really stand out and make this event worth your while are the little kids dressed up in their Halloween costumes. They go from Lawn door to Lawn door receiving candy from students that currently live on the Lawn as well as from over 70 student groups. While the kids are adorable, this is really an event for people of all ages to mingle on the Lawn and appreciate the UVA and Charlottesville communities as a whole.
Many may say Trick-Or-Treating on the Lawn is a way to unite both communities together, but UVA fourth year, Tauri Wilkins says, “I don’t think I’d say “unite,” maybe “interact” is a better term. It allows students the opportunity to network and talk to members of the Charlottesville community. A lot of CIOs (Contracted Independent Organizations) get tables and hand out candy, as well as the Lawnies (residents of the Lawn), so they talk about things they love to the people who ask.”
So clearly Trick-Or-Treating on the Lawn isn’t all fun in games, it is actually quite informative if you are a UVA student looking to get involved or a person in the community wondering what is happening on grounds. Want to know more about an organization? Just walk up to one of their representatives and I’m sure they would be more than happy to fill you in on what they do and how it affect the UVA community. Many CIOs sponsor tables, participate by donating money for candy and also volunteer their time to during this festive occasion, so there will be plenty of organizations to chose from and hear about.
But regardless of if you stop by the Lawn for candy, to learn more about different organizations or just to see the cute little kids in their costumes, I am sure that you won’t regret taking the time to experience this wonderful tradition UVA has to offer.
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