WEST LIBERTY, WV – Each fall, West Liberty University transforms into a Halloween wonderland as local elementary students parade through campus in colorful costumes for “Trick or Treat on the Quad.”
It is not a typical Halloween night; instead of ghosts and jump scares, the afternoon is filled with laughter, creativity, and community spirit. The event, now more than twenty years strong, brings together West Liberty students, faculty, and children from West Liberty Elementary School for an afternoon of festive fun.
“The children from the school walk down to campus. They come in costume, and we have departments, offices, and clubs set up little stations,” said Lou Karas, director of the Center for Arts and Education, who coordinates the event each year. “We provide treat bags for them—we can’t give them anything edible—and they collect their treats.”
This year, however, the weather did not cooperate. “I started watching the forecast last week, and it went from thirty-five percent to sixty-five percent to one hundred percent chance of rain,” Karas said with a laugh. “So Trick or Treat on the Quad became Trick or Treat at West Liberty Elementary School.” Despite the location change, the spirit of the day remained the same. “We had 114 faculty, staff, and students from the university go up to the school,” Karas explained. “They represented around thirty different organizations. The kids came through and collected their treats, and everyone had a great time.”
The event may only last a couple of hours, but it takes weeks of planning and collaboration. Karas works closely with student groups, campus departments, and local educators to make it happen.
“The Health and P.E. coordinator for students set up about twenty activities, so the kids have time to play after trick-or-treating,” Said Karas. For Karas, the joy comes from watching the tradition continue year after year. “One of my favorite memories was the first time we could do the program after COVID,” she recalled. “Seeing the kids walking on campus again—as adults, we were probably as excited as they were.”
West Liberty students play a huge role in making Trick or Treat on the Quad come alive, from decorating tables to handing out toys and school supplies.
Delaney Homer, a member of the WLU softball team, participated for the first time this year. “I think it’s a good thing,” Homer said. “It’s great to get college kids interacting with younger kids—it’s a fun thing to do.” Even though the event does not include candy, Homer appreciated the reasoning behind it. “It kind of sucks that they don’t get candy,” she admitted, “but I get it—it’s good for allergies and just changes it up.” She added that she would love to see the event held a little later in the day to make it
easier for more students to attend: “There are a lot of classes going on, so later might work better.”
For many families, Trick or Treat on the Quad has become a beloved fall tradition. Dr. Sarah Schimmel, who has been part of the West Liberty community for seventeen years, said the event means a lot to both parents and children.
“It’s an opportunity for the community to get together,” Schimmel said. “My daughter went to the elementary school from pre-K through fifth grade, so even just seeing all the kids and their excitement—it’s such a great community event,” Schimmel added that she loves how the event connects university students and local kids. “It provides that opportunity for them to see what’s possible in the future,” she said. “It’s also just a break from academics—they get to dress up, have fun, and just be kids.” If she could change one thing, Schimmel said, it would be the weather. “It’s a lot better on the Quad,” she joked. “If Mother Nature could just work with us.”
Even with the rain forcing a change of plans this year, the excitement was as strong as ever. Bright costumes, decorated booths, and the sound of laughter filled the halls of West Liberty Elementary. For many, the event represents the best of what it means to be part of a small, close-knit community. “It’s something that’s fun to do and great for community relations,” Karas said. “From the school’s end, there were 104 kids this year—and for all of us, it’s about building that connection.”
As the university looks ahead to next year’s event—hopefully back on the Quad—the tradition remains a highlight of the fall semester. In one word, Harris summed it up best: “Joy.”
