University of Richmond to Sponsor Trick or Treat Street Oct. 18

September 25, 2003

Area children will enjoy a Halloween carnival, complete with haunted houses, pony rides, magicians, games, food, candy hunts and costume contests, at the University of Richmond's fifth annual Trick or Treat Street Oct. 18 from noon-4 p.m.

Sponsored by the university's fraternities and sororities, Trick or Treat Street will be held on Fraternity Row across from the Robins Center on College Road. Admission is $5 per child, adults free. All proceeds will go to Metro Richmond Habitat for Humanity.

In the past, the event has attracted more than 700 families, said Erica Fitzsimmons, one of the organizers. This year's event will include "several different 'haunted' houses -- some created especially for children 8 and younger," she said. Other activities will include face painting, a moonwalk, pumpkin decorating, clowns and the chance to win prizes and candy.

"The goal of Trick or Treat Street is to create a safe, fun and festive atmosphere for children to spend an afternoon with their families while raising money for Habitat," said Fitzsimmons. Richmond students have contributed to Habitat for many years by sponsoring Trick or Treat Street, a 5K run and other activities. Last year, they raised $50,000 and organized more than 1,100 volunteers in their first blitz-build project, constructing a house in one week.

More information on Trick or Treat street can be found at http://www.student.richmond.edu/~panhellenic.