RCC Welcomes 1,500 Children and Families for Annual HalloweenTown Celebration

Riverside City College (RCC) welcomed approximately 1,500 children and their families to its annual HalloweenTown celebration on October 23, bringing together students, employees and community members for an evening of costumes, games, entertainment and family-friendly activities. Hosted by the Associated Students of Riverside City College (ASRCC), the event celebrated more than 25 years of tradition and recorded its largest attendance since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This year's monster-themed celebration transformed the RCC Quad into a festive gathering space, featuring costume and decorating contests, themed booths, games, candy, prizes and live entertainment. The event attracted both returning families and first-time visitors, providing an opportunity for community members to experience the campus and connect with RCC students and employees. 

The celebration drew significant community interest, with families lining Terracina Drive and Mine Okubo Avenue and wait times reaching 30 to 40 minutes. Lines wrapped around the Quad as children and families dressed in costumes gathered to participate in the festivities. 

Megan Bottoms, Ed.D., associate professor and coordinator of the Office of Student Life and Leadership, highlighted the event's continued growth and the creativity of participating campus organizations. 

“We host HalloweenTown every year, but this may be our best event yet,” said Bottoms. “This year, we welcomed approximately 1,500 children and their accompanying families to Riverside City College, making it one of our largest turnouts to date. It is always exciting to see the creativity our campus organizations bring to their booths and decorations, as well as the incredible costumes families share with us. We had more than enough candy, games and fun to go around, and we look forward to welcoming our community back for HalloweenTown next year.” 

One of the evening's highlights was the children's costume contest, which featured approximately 70 to 90 participants across multiple age divisions. The contest was judged by RCC President Eric Bishop, Ed.D., Vice President FeRita Carter, Ph.D., incoming RCCD Chancellor Star Rivera-Lacey, Ph.D., and Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees Secretary Mary Figueroa. 

Contestants showcased costumes inspired by popular movies, television shows and video games. A Plague Doctor costume earned first place in the ages 6–8 division, while a Pennywise costume from It placed third. Other notable costumes included Wednesday Addams, Mary Poppins and Lieutenant Simon “Ghost” Riley from Call of Duty. 

Student clubs, campus organizations and departments played a central role in bringing the celebration to life, designing themed booths and offering interactive activities for children of all ages. The ASL Club earned first place in the door decorating contest with its Hotel Transylvania-themed display, while MEChA de RCC (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán) received second place for its Alien Cow-themed door. Women in Cybersecurity featured an AI-inspired monster display, while the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers created a pirate-themed experience. 

Throughout the Quad, participating organizations offered a variety of activities that encouraged children and families to engage with RCC students. The Asian Pacific Student Union hosted a Pokémon Cup Pong game, the Romance Book Club offered bookmark decorating activities, and the RCC Clay Club welcomed visitors with a pumpkin-themed table featuring candy and sweet treats. 

Several academic programs and campus departments also participated, incorporating familiar characters and creative decorations into their displays. RCC Nursing transformed its area with a Monsters, Inc. theme, featuring students and faculty dressed as Mike Wazowski, Sulley, Boo and CDA agents. RCC Athletic Training showcased a Despicable Me-inspired display, while RCC Police Department staff greeted attendees at a Nightmare Before Christmas-themed booth. 

Live entertainment contributed to the evening's festive atmosphere, including a performance by the RCC Marching Band, which brought music and energy to the celebration. 

For more than two decades, HalloweenTown has provided an opportunity for RCC students and employees to engage with the surrounding community while creating a welcoming experience for local families. The continued success of the event reflects the dedication of ASRCC, participating student organizations, campus departments and volunteers who help bring this annual tradition to life. 

As one of RCC's longstanding community celebrations, HalloweenTown continues to strengthen connections between the college and the families it serves, reinforcing RCC's commitment to community engagement and creating opportunities for students to contribute beyond the classroom.