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Pomona College Magazine is published three times a year by Pomona College
550 N. College Ave, Claremont, CA 91711
Online Editor: Mark Kendall
For editorial matters:
Editor: Mark Wood
Phone: (909) 621-8158
Fax: (909) 621-8203
PCM Editorial Guidelines
Contact Alumni Records for changes of address, class notes, or notice
of births or deaths.
Phone: (909) 621-8635
Fax: (909) 621-8535
Email: alumni@pomona.edu
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Traditions/ Pomona's October Surprise
The History behind Harwood Halloween
By Julie Trescott '08
Who says Halloween is just for little kids? Pomona College students have
been donning creative costumes and enjoying ghoulish festivities in
October for the past 116 years.
Although
the College’s annual party has appeared in different forms in a variety
of locations, the spirit of the event remains unchanged. In 1890, the
women in Claremont Hall celebrated Halloween with fortune telling and
refreshments; while in 1914, students enjoyed a masquerade party in
Sumner Hall. As early as 1985 (when it was first referenced in the
Metate), the college sponsored a dance party in Harwood Courtyard, and
this event became aptly known as Harwood Halloween from then on. There
were several problems with this location—minimal security, lack of
bathrooms, and plant damage—and as a result, the party was moved but
retained its name.
In the subsequent years, Harwood Halloween has been held on Walker Lawn
(where partygoers in 1988 received a wet surprise when the sprinklers
unexpectedly turned on), Bixby Plaza, Rains Center, the Smith Campus
Center, and the new parking garage beneath the IT building. Three years
ago, the party was scheduled to be held in Harwood Courtyard as a
tribute to its roots, but the event was rained out and moved to the
Smith Center.
These days, student organizers plan the festivities, which typically
include a concert – bands have included Dispatch and Jurassic 5 –
followed a dance party with a disc jockey. In 2005, more than 2,000
students from the Claremont Colleges celebrated Halloween at an affair
that cost about $10,000.
“With other themed parties, people don't always dress up,” said Jess
Ladd ’08, who was decked out as the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz
at last year’s event. “But everybody gets into it on Halloween.” |
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