The Baker University Student Education Association is teaming up with the Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council and Student Activities Council to make Hallo-Read a two-part event this year.

Hallo-Read is an annual Halloween party hosted by the Baker University Student Education Association, or BUSEA. The group decided to hold Hallo-Read as one of its community outreach projects, and it has been an annual event for four years.

Hallo-Read will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday in Case Hall 206.

“In the spring, we have the Read Across America event, and we wanted to have something in the fall,” faculty sponsor Carolyn Doolittle said.

Education students dress up, bring treats and get children in the mood for Halloween weekend. Children in Baldwin City are invited to come to the event, as well as children in nearby towns, giving them all a safe way to celebrate Halloween.

Many times during the Halloween season, celebratory activities include haunted houses or other events meant to scare. At Hallo-Read, scaring takes a backseat to the children dressing up and having fun.

“It’s a time for kids to celebrate Halloween in a fun, rather than spooky way,” junior Tracie Babbitt said.

During the event, fun activities are offered for the children, such as cookie decorating and games. Musical chairs and wrap the mummy are just some of the games offered at Hallo-Read.

“We read spooky Halloween stories, but not too spooky,” junior Kaitlyn Haynes said. “There is a lot of younger kids rather than older elementary kids.”

This year, the event will start in the parking lot of Case Hall, where fraternity and sorority members will be handing out candy from their cars for Trunk-or-Treat. Afterward, the children will go inside to finish the event with Hallo-Read.

“This year, we’re kind of piggybacking with Trunk-or-Treat,” Doolittle said. “We want to do it as a joint effort.”

In the past, Trunk-or-Treat has been in the Mabee Memorial Hall parking lot, however, the two events were at the same time, so the groups worked together to make it one Halloween festivity for local children.

“We combined to make it a larger event so kids could go to both events and not get lost across campus,” Babbitt said.

BUSEA is accepting donations of cookies, punch or treats. Volunteers are also welcome to help with setting up, decorating and games.

“We welcome anyone who wants to come dressed up to read Halloween stories,” Doolittle said.