Hey, Parents – Here is Your Guide to This Year’s Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn

It’s that time of year again! The University of Virginia is holding its hugely popular Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn on Oct. 31, and there are some exciting, spooky changes in store this year.

Each year, thousands of local children and their parents flock to the center of the University for this free, time-honored community event.

UVA Today reached out to the Lawn’s head resident, Joan Lee, to hear about plans for this year’s event and get some of her top tips for parents who want to bring their children for some ghoulish fun.

First Things First

For starters, Lee said the event is being moved ahead one hour and will begin at 5 p.m., instead of the traditional start time of 4 p.m. “This is to accommodate parents getting off work on a weeknight,” Lee said.

Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn is Growing

“This year, it will be bigger,” Lee said. “We are opening up West Range rooms as well to engage as much of the Academical Village as possible.”

Range rooms are occupied by graduate students. Because of construction, the East Range rooms will not be open.

“A lot of the East Rangers will be helping give out candy on the West Range,” which faces McCormick Road, Lee said. “This means more participation for graduate programs and clubs.”

It’s Going to Be a Little Spookier

A new element is being added to the fun this year. Lee said The Raven Society wants to get involved.

“To my knowledge, there will be something new going on with Poe’s room and Poe Alley,” a stretch of road named for former UVA student Edgar Allen Poe, that early master of horror stories. (His room, 13 West Range, is preserved behind glass and furnished with items similar to those he would have owned in 1826.)

This historical marker stands just outside 13 West Range, where Edgar Allen Poe lived for one term. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)

“There might just be more intriguing or spooky decorations, or there might be some event there,” she added, saying it’s a mystery to her.

It Will Be A Little Bit Busier

This year’s event will have more volunteers than ever. Typically, resident advisers or senior advisers help guide visitors to the Lawn.

“This year we opened up volunteer slots, honestly, to anyone,” Lee said. “We have a few ROTC kids from the fourth-year battalion, so there is going to be more diverse involvement from people all over UVA. Around 40 people will be helping out.”

There Will Be Candy. There Will Be Children’s Books, Too

University Librarian and Dean John Unsworth lives in Pavilion II and will be giving out small children’s books. “If I’m correct, they are all very tiny, different children’s books,” Lee said.

“Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn is open to anyone and everyone and it should be a fun time!” she added.

Parking Information

Free parking for families attending the event will be available beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the E3, T4 and S6 lots at Scott Stadium; at University Hall; and, beginning at 4 p.m., in the Arts Grounds garage on Culbreth Road. Paid hourly parking is available in the Central Grounds Parking Garage on Emmet Street.