Penn State Berks hosts 'Halloweek' events beginning Oct. 17

Berks Halloweek 2023

Penn State Berks will host "Halloweek" events beginning Oct. 17.

Credit: Penn State

WYOMISSING, Pa. — Penn State Berks will host its annual “Halloweek” events, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 17, with Kendall R. Phillips’ lecture “Get Out and the Third Golden Age of Horror” at 6 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium. Next, the college will host its fourth annual Fall Fest on Friday, Oct. 20, at 5 p.m. The week will conclude on Tuesday, Oct. 24, with the presentation of “The Truth about Halloween” at 6 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium. All three events are free and open to the public.  All three events are free and open to the public. 

“Get Out and the Third Golden Age of Horror” by Kendall R. Phillips 
Tuesday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m. 
Perkins Student Center Auditorium 

Kendall R. Phillips, professor of communication and rhetorical studies at Syracuse University, will present “Get Out and the Third Golden Age of Horror.” He will discuss the resurgence of horror films with a focus on Jordan Peele’s critically acclaimed “Get Out.” Philips conducts research on controversies and conflicts related to topics including public memory, popular film and popular culture. The lecture is presented by the Penn State Berks communication arts and sciences program and is funded by the Howard O. Jr. and Jean S. Beaver Endowment for Guest Lecturers at Penn State Berks. This event is sponsored by the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture series. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.  

Fall Fest 

Friday, Oct. 20, Family Fun: 5–7 p.m., Witching Hour: 7–9 p.m. 
Perkins Plaza and various buildings on campus 

Fall Fest is comprised of two parts — a ‘family fun’ program, which includes a parade at 6 p.m. Children are encouraged to dress in costumes for trick-or-treat activities and light refreshments. Preregistration is required for attendees of the family-fun program.  
 
The "witching hour" haunted tours is for adult attendees. Student Lion Ambassador tour guides will take attendees on a haunted tour of the campus. Penn State Berks community members dressed as vampires, witches and other scary characters will tell stories of the ghosts and legends that surround the campus. This part of the event is not recommended for children. Tours will begin at the Perkins Plaza and pre-registration is not required. The last tour will depart at 8:30 p.m. For more information, contact event organizer Erica Pulaski at [email protected].  

“The Truth about Halloween” by Erica Pulaski, Cheryl Nicolas and Michele Ramsey 

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 6 p.m.  
Perkins Student Center Auditorium  

The mysteries surrounding Halloween will be revealed as Penn State Berks presents “The Truth about Halloween” — a special presentation given by three of the college’s Halloween experts: Erica Pulaski, director of enrollment management; Michele Ramsey, associate professor of communication arts and sciences and women's studies, and Cheryl Nicholas, associate professor of communication arts and sciences and global studies. Pulaski organizes the college’s annual Fall Fest, while Ramsey and Nicholas developed a course titled “Identity, Citizenship, and the Rhetoric of the American Horror Film.” This event is sponsored by the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture series. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.  

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