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NewsvineThe Stanfords must have been rolling over in their graves last night during the annual Mausoleum Party, which was back this year for the second straight Halloween after a four-year absence from 2002 to 2005. This year’s installment earned generally positive reviews from party goers.
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Students packed the area surrounding the Stanford family's resting site for the annual Mausoleum Halloween Party last night. Unlike last year's event, which attendees and organizers complained was overcrowded, this year's party was crowded but manageable, according to students and administrators.
Students dressed as members of the rap group N.W.A., Sesame Street residents and characters from the movies “300” and “The Fifth Element” were among the attendees. They were joined by a giant Wheatie’s Box, a Rubik’s Cube and at least two students mimicking the “Dick in a Box” sketch from Saturday Night Live. Osama Bin Laden, Optimus Prime and a security-aiding Batman and Superman also made an appearance at the Halloween celebration.
While at least five Waldos were reported, there were no positive indications of his whereabouts.
Partiers gathered in a well-lit clearing in front of the Stanford Mausoleum near Palm Drive, and music blared as students danced, compared costumes and picked up energy drinks from sponsor Rockstar.
With attendees still pouring in at 11:15 p.m., organizers were confident the party had avoided the dreaded sophomore slump.
“I think the party is going great,” said Nanci Howe, student affairs officer in the Office of Student Activities. “We’ve had very few problems with security, and people are enjoying themselves.”
ASSU President Hershey Avula ‘08 said this year’s organizers learned from the setbacks of last year’s event.
“We’ve definitely made sure to have enough power generators,” Avula said, referencing the sound system failure at last year’s party. “We’ve also set up barriers around the DJ, since people were tripping over wires and speakers were almost falling on students [last year].
“We’ve made sure to have enough lights around the edges,” he added. “Last year, people were complaining about how dark it was in the woods and the front entrances.”
Without last year’s wristband system, estimates on the number of attendees varied. Most agreed, however, that this year’s total was lower than last year’s celebration, but there were still enough students to fill the main circle.
While some students lamented the decrease in attendence, others were happy with the smaller turnout.
“Last year it was very over-crowded” said Daniel Zavala ‘08, ASSU Executive Council member. “It was overflowing, and we had more people than we wanted. This year it’s a lot more manageable. It’s just right.”
For the most part, freshmen said their first Halloween spent at the Mausoleum lived up to expectations.
“It’s not a ‘wow,’ but coming was worth it,” said Maria Lemus ‘11, who made up half of a pair of larger-than-life Hershey’s Kisses. “We were mostly excited about our costumes.”
“It’s a good time so far”, added Graham Brockington ‘11, who was dressed as Jackass’ Party Boy. “It’s actually better than I was expecting.”
For many students, however, it was just another party.
“It’s about the same” said a student dressed as Optimus Prime. “Nothing much has changed.”