Champions Kitchen in the Gatton Student Center hosted their annual “Big Boo Bash,” a dining event created to celebrate the spooky season.

University of Kentucky students attended the event on Wednesday, Oct. 3 to carve pumpkins, eat candy and other Halloween themed treats. 

UK Dining and Housing co-hosted the event. They said they wanted to create an event for students to celebrate Halloween on campus.

The menu for students included Halloween-themed cookies, caramel apples and the most popular item, according to multiple students, funnel fries.

Madison Cornish, a sophomore communications major, and Emily Holcomb, a sophomore public health major, attended the event for the free entertainment offered.

“She [Emily] wanted to come to the event to get some pumpkin carving and I wanted to come because of sweet treats,” said Cornish. “I’m now very happy that I came.”

Devon Hurley, the marketing director for UK Dining, organized the celebration for students.After starting in 2019, “Big Boo Bash” has grown since its first appearance. In the future, UK Dining hopes to expand “Big Boo Bash” to include pumpkin painting and a costume contest, according to Hurley.

They also wanted to place value on having a meal plan, as “Big Boo Bash” is free for every student who has a meal plan.

Freshmen Ella Spriggs-Gail, Kelsey Monks, Mackenzie Phillips and Ava Yates were first-time attendees. 

As freshmen, they wanted to take part in on-campus events to get involved and to “get out of their dorm.”

“They [other schools] do all the things in the beginning and don’t keep doing them during the year,” said Spriggs-Gail. “it’s nice that they [University of Kentucky] keep on with the events.” 

“Big Boo Bash” is set to return to Champions Kitchen in 2025 for the Halloween season.