We have finally made it to October, when the leaves change from green to yellow, the air becomes crisp, pumpkins are ready to be carved and apples are ready for bobbing.

October is not only the start of the harvest season, but it is also the month of Halloween.

As Halloween slowly creeps up, students are thinking about who, or what, they want to dress as — but what led to this weird behavior? 

Halloween dates back to Samhain (sah-win), an ancient pagan festival the Celtics have been celebrating for over 2,000 years. Samhain is a festival that consists of bonfires and costume wearing to ward off evil entities.

Samhain is celebrated from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 during the fall equinox and winter solstice. This is to honor what is known as "the dark half of the year." It is believed that the holiday also marks the opening of the barrier between the spirit and living world. Thus, spirits enter the human world and roam free on Halloween.

The term Halloween itself derives from the term “All Hallows’ Eve” observed before All Saints’ or All Hallows’ day. This also “marks the day before the Western Christian feast of All Saints,” and begins Allhallowtide, a season that lasts for three days and ends with the Roman Catholic gathering of All Souls’ Day. All Souls’ Day is a Roman Catholic holiday to remember those who have passed.

Halloween is still practiced today to honor the dead through various fun festivities like trick-or-treating.

On Halloween, children go door-to-door dressed in costumes and shout “trick-or-treat” to receive pieces of candy. Trick-or-treating is believed to have originated from Irish and Scottish practices. During Samhain in Ireland, cakes were a form of payment after singing songs to the dead. 

And if you're at CSU and looking for some fun?

There are many festivities students can take part in like pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, hosting a themed party and going to haunted houses. Some activities are on campus. Some are off. 

Here is a "Best of Halloween" list:

On Campus

1. Blithe Spirit: This play is a classic comedy that has been shared from Broadway to the West End to Cleveland at the Allen Theatre Complex in Playhouse Square. This is not a far walk from campus and they offer an ASL night on Oct. 28 for $5. Tickets are $5 for CSU students with ID. Students who are interested to attend can check out the website here for more information on tickets and times.
2. CAB Events: CAB offers different events each day on campus leading up to Halloween. Here is a list of the events CAB has to offer:
   • Halloween Dos and Don'ts: This is a diversity event that will be hosted Monday, Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Student Center Atrium. This event will have crafts and activities for students and will also educate students on what is appropriate for Halloween concerning other cultures.
   • Trick-or-Treat Trivia: This is a trivia event that will be hosted at the Student Center Atrium, Tuesday, Oct. 26 from 12 to 2 p.m. This will be a basic trivia event with prizes and candy.
   • Summoning Spirits: During this event, a performer will talk to the dead and do many other performances. Students will be part of this experience as well. This event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Berkman Hall Auditorium. 
   • Fall into Cleveland: This is an annual tradition that will have various fall-themed activities and giveaways. This event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Student Center Plaza.
   • Fenn Tower of Terror: This event is a murder mystery dinner in collaboration with CAB and Residence Life. This event will take place at the Fenn Tower Ballroom on Friday, Oct. 29 from 6 to 9 p.m.
   • Slasher Saturday: This final event will be a trip to Cinemark in Valley View to see Halloween Kills. This event will be hosted Saturday, Oct. 30 from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
3. Trivia night: If students are looking for another chill and laid back way to celebrate Halloween without leaving your home, have a trivia night. Invite friends, dress up in costumes and have fun. 
4. Movie night: Another way to end the night is to have a movie night. Whether it is on Netflix or Hulu, indoors or outdoors, create an at-home movie theater with a white bed sheet and projector or phone.

Off Campus 

1. Halloween Bar Crawl: This bar crawl is located in downtown Cleveland and will begin Oct. 23 and continue through Oct. 31. During this bar crawl, there will be lots of drinking from various bars listed on the site, followed by a costume contest. Each attendee will receive a map on each bar to go to. Tickets and more details are available on the website. 
2. Aut-O-Rama Drive-in theater (North Ridgeville):  If students are looking for a quiet and chill evening, the drive-in is a great option, but it is located in North Ridgeville on Lorain road. While this is a small drive from campus, it is a quiet and relaxing way to end the night if students enjoy a short road trip. A few of the movies that will be played at the drive-in are Child's Play, Friday the 13th (1980) and Paranorman. Details on movie times and tickets can be found here and the concession stand will be open. Admission is only $10.
3. Haunted houses: If you enjoy thrills and shivers down the spine, there are plenty of haunted houses that are not too far from campus. Here is a list of a few haunted houses to get started:
   • 7 Floors of Hell: Located off I-71 and Bagley road in Middleburg Heights. They will be open every Friday and Saturday until Oct. 30. For more information on tickets and directions, students can visit the website here.
   • Bloodview: This special haunted house, located in Broadview Heights, scares for charity and offers date night specials. They are open every Friday and Saturday starting at 8 p.m. to midnight, and date night is every Sunday through October from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, check out the website here.
   • Spooky Ranch: This charming ranch is located in Columbia Station not far from the Strongsville area. This little ranch has a pumpkin fest during the day and haunted houses and a haunted hayride at night. For more information on the Spooky Ranch, students can check the website here.

4. Another great way to get into the Halloween spirit is walk, ride or drive around Cleveland's neighborhoods to see the Halloween decorations.