Here at the “U,” tradition reigns true — from syllabus week to homecoming or “darty” Saturdays, University of Miami students are nothing if not consistent with their party habits. However, one of the most prevailing traditions demands a great pilgrimage four hours south to Key West. Come Halloween weekend, Key West celebrates Fantasy Fest, a premier masking and costuming extravaganza attracting thousands of people in eccentric costumes — or lack thereof — galavanting around the streets.
Lots of Logistics
“The craziest photos in my camera roll of all time came from my Key West trip last year,” said Charlotte Wenk, a senior majoring in nursing.
Students cram into hotels, Airbnbs and houseboats, often sleeping on deflating air mattresses — a four-person hotel room can fit 10 for Fantasy Fest. Regardless of how many people cram into whichever type of lodging, it is imperative that students interested in attending Key West book far in advance before availability becomes limited and prices rise. Sure, it’s fun and exciting to plan costumes, however, logistics must be figured out first: who is driving, who will supply their air mattress, who will fork over their credit card to book the hotel room?
Once the logistics are planned and the impending weekend rolls around, the action comes down to one area. UM students are most likely to be found on Duval Street, hopping between Fat Tuesday, Sloppy Joe’s Bar, Flying Monkeys Saloon and Rick’s Bar.
For those looking to enjoy a “zero proof” trip, there is plenty of history and activities to avoid the party scene and still have a well-rounded vacation. We recommend students grab a piece of key lime pie to enjoy on a walk to The Hemingway Home and Museum, where American writer Ernest Hemingway resided. They can also add a finishing touch to their costume with a long-lasting temporary tattoo and rinse it off during a swim at Smathers Beach should they decide “getting inked” is not for them.
Finally, no UM student should leave Key West without browsing some of the souvenir shops for a laugh.
“My best friend got one that said, ‘I don’t need Google, my girlfriend knows everything,’” said Mia Summa, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. “That pretty much gives you an idea of the kind of tees they’re printing over there.”
Halloween on the Homefront
If traveling all the way to the Keys isn’t your style, there is still a lot to do to celebrate Halloween here around campus.
Some Greek organizations remain present on campus to celebrate Halloween. Last year, Ali Yessios, a sophomore in the School of Communication and Paige Rock, a sophomore in the Herbert Business School, attended a mansion party hosted by Delta Epsilon Pi, and both said they had a blast.
For the ravers of UM, Factory Town will be hosting Hocus Pocus from Oct. 31st to Nov. 2nd. For three nights, ravers can dance the weekend away from sunset to sunrise.
Tickets for Halloween night sell for $43 while the following two nights sell for $62; prices will likely rise as the holiday weekend draws closer.. With four stages and an impressive lineup, including artists such as ARTBAT, Eliza Rose, and Nitefreak, we fear this three-night spooky bash might be magnificent.
Given that Halloween coincides with midterm season, sometimes the best way to celebrate is a night-in with some festive Trader Joe’s snacks and a scary movie.
Get cozy on your couch with friends and try the Salted Maple Ice Cream, Pumpkin Flavored Joe-Joe’s, Maple Flavored Fudge and Candy Corn Popcorn. Regardless of if it’s spiders, killers or ghosts that make your palms sweat and heart race, 2024 horror movies such as “Immaculate,” “MaXXXine,” “Long Legs,” and “Tarot” are sure to leave you spooked.
“Immaculate had me on the edge of my seat … and Sydney Sweeney starring made it all the better”, said Juliana Bevacqua, a senior in the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science.
Make Safety Part of Your Costume
No matter how you celebrate this spooky season, the most important thing besides having fun is to be safe.
Every student is entitled to their well-being; it is essential to take advantage of campus resources when in scary situations. Here are some tips to avoid feeling like a character in a horror movie.
- For students feeling a threat that crosses the line from spooky to unsettling, contact UMPD at 305-284-6666.
- UMPD offers a 24/7 Safety Escort Service at no cost for students on campus with an average response time of 15 minutes.
- Freebee, formerly Safe Ride, operates Monday through Friday from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. as a free car service to and from campus and the surrounding area.
- To learn more about ways UM supports students facing challenges, visit https://doso.studentaffairs.miami.edu/student-support/index.html.
words_anika engel. photo_distraction staff. design_lizzie kristal.
This article was published in Distraction’s Fall 2024 print issue.
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