University of Idaho President Chuck Staben and his wife Mary Beth Staben are throwing a party – costumes are encouraged.
The Stabens will host the 2nd annual President”s Halloween Open House from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the President”s Residence near the UI Golf Course.
The event is open to students, community members, faculty and staff.
When the Stabens first came to UI, Mary Beth said they were surprised to hear there was no Halloween event put on by the school.
“What do we do for Halloween? How can we not do something for Halloween?” Mary Beth said of her reaction to finding out there was no Halloween event.
Mary Beth said Halloween has always been a big tradition in their family.
When their kids were little, Mary Beth said she would dress them up every year in costumes she had made. Mary Beth said they raised their kids in Lexington, Kentucky, and she said it was a great place for Halloween.
She said they lived in a neighborhood full of families, the weather was always nice and Halloween was always a big deal.
Chuck said it would sometimes look a bit like the end scene of “ET,” there were so many kids out and about.
Chuck said they also lived in San Francisco for 10 years and Halloween was always a big deal.
Last year, Kevin Ketchie, assistant to the President and Presidential Events, agreed to organize a UI event. They decided to hold the event at the President”s Residence, and make it an open house where people can mingle – in costume – and talk over refreshments, Chuck said.
Ketchie is in charge of decorating the President”s house. Chuck said he did a fantastic job last year with decorations inside and outside the house, as well as scary music and smoke throughout.
Chuck said they originally had the event the weekend of Halloween, but they found is conflicted with band and athletic events, so they moved it up so more people could attend.
Despite the conflict, Chuck said the event still had what he thought were several hundred visitors. He said he hopes more students will attend the event this year.
Visitors are encouraged to come in costume and Chuck said he has seen a great variety of costumes and a few conceptual costumes that he thought were inventive.
Last year, Chuck said he and Mary Beth went as a witch and warlock. Their costume for this year is a surprise and Chuck said students will have to come to the event to see how they dress up.
At the event, Chuck said they will serve cider, snacks and hot cocoa. He said there will also be a drawing for prizes. Attendees have a chance to win one of three $100 gift cards to the VandalStore.
Katie Colson can be reached at arg-news.uidaho.edu or on Twitter at @katiecolson007