MNSU gets a bunch of scares n’ spooks
Alyssa Bunde
Staff Writer
The air is crisp, the infamous inflatable spider is blown up, and the line for the CSU’s Haunted Takeover is long enough that it extends outside to the fountain. This year’s theme was holidays and folklore, which would explain that bloodied elf casually walking around in the crowd.
Every year Minnesota State University, Mankato students are taken aback by the long lines for the event. However, those who arrived early and got to the front of those lines had an extra jump scare manifested not in the form of a ghoul or goblin, but rather a random, unwanted, shrill fire alarm. It was rumored that the alarm was set off from the events smoke machines. Everyone was promptly evacuated, including the actors of the event. The actors in full costume were now mingling amongst the normally dressed crowd as if they were not just pretending to cut each other up minutes before.
Luckily I didn’t have to wait in line, but as I went to the front I saw many groups sitting on the ground playing games or on their phones. In previous years that was me as well, playing endless games of I-spy and other low tier adaptations of car games. Once at the front of the line, my group was brought into the Ostrander Auditorium to watch a video detailing the rules and a quick film that was supposed to get us into a spooky mood.
MNSU student Alayna Johnson was asked if she was excited about the event. Johnson stated, “Honestly, I’ve never been to a haunted house because I don’t like being scared. But Alexis convinced me.”
MNSU student and Johnson’s friend Alexis Grack also shared her thoughts on the event, stating, “This is my third year coming, I like watching everyone else get scared, I find it very funny.”
Entering the haunted house we were instructed to follow our glow stick lit guide. They lead up the spider web covered stairs and instantly students understood the whole holidays and folklore theme as bloodied fourth of July dressed actors crept towards them. The Christmas section was decked with trees glowing and reindeer props, and was actually pretty pleasant, apart from the masked people crawling around. Personally, the holiday theme gave me mixed feelings, and none of the feelings were necessarily fear.
This was MNSU student Sam Ashton third year attending the haunted house. When asked about her experience she stated, “This year was better than last year, it had smaller enclosures which kinda helped make it spookier.”
Despite the absurdly long lines, and interesting choice of theme this year I appreciate the CSU Haunted Takeover. It’s a chance to bring students out of their dorms, apartments and the library for a spooky night of fun.
Header photo: Students at the annual CSU Haunted Takeover react to costumed team members in a hallway of the Centennial Student Union Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019 in Mankato, Minn. (Mansoor Ahmad/MSU Reporter)