Halloween on Vernon: A Beloved Trinity College Tradition

Every year since 1990, Trinity College has invited our Hartford neighbors and community partners to celebrate Halloween at our Halloween on Vernon event. This campus-wide tradition allows families to enjoy trick-or-treating and spooky activities in a safe and welcoming environment. The event brings together the Hartford community and Trinity College, involving student groups, campus offices, cultural houses, and Greek organizations. All of these groups are coordinated by the Annual Community Event Staff (ACES), who help create a memorable experience for families and students alike. 

This year, Halloween on Vernon offered a beautiful day filled with activities for children and families. About 18 different stations were set up around campus, offering activities like face painting with a sorority, musical chairs with UMOJA House, popcorn with the CHER Community Engagement Fellows, and arts and crafts with La Eracra House.  There was also a pumpkin patch at the Trinfo Community Garden, and, of course, trick-or-treating with candy at every stop. Santina Dresser ’27 hosted a face-painting table with her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and shared, “It is so fun to see the kids’ costumes and give out candy to everyone.”

This year, Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam joined in with his family, continuing a cherished tradition. He shared, “The kids and I love going to the Asian American Cultural House where they make sushi candy—we even started doing that activity at home.”

Halloween on Vernon showcases the unity of purpose between Trinity’s students, administration, and faculty coming together to create a safe and fun Halloween for our neighbors. Mia Rodriguez ’26, who helped organize the event with ACES, commented, “The planning was smooth, and it was amazing to see such a diverse group of students and organizations come together to make this event successful.” She added, “I love seeing all the kids wandering around in their costumes and feeling the Halloween spirit on campus.”

After 35 years, Halloween on Vernon has continued to grow, bringing in more members and even multiple generations of families. One Hartford mother shared, “I used to come to Halloween on Vernon when I was a child, and now I’m here as a mom bringing my own child. It’s a cherished family tradition of ours that I plan to continue.” We look forward to continuing to make Halloween on Vernon a wonderful experience for our students, neighbors, and the entire Hartford community.