UM Todayhalloween – UM Today

CTV News: Why Manitoba is a hotbed for horror movies

Eleanor Coopsammy — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 22:58:11 +0000

From sadistic slashers to haunted houses, horror movies and Halloween go hand-in-hand, and Manitoba has become a cauldron for creepy films. Dr. Brenda Austin-Smith, Professor, Department of English, Theatre, Film & Media at University of Manitoba wholeheartedly agrees. “There has to be a good story. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s high-tech, or a low-tech film with a phone filmed in a studio; it’s got to have a good story, otherwise it won’t work,” Dr. Austin-Smith said.

You can watch the full story and read more on CTV News.

Winnipeg Free Press: Spooky season spending stays strong

Eleanor Coopsammy — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 02:22:27 +0000

Halloween-themed retailers, events, locations report solid level of engagement, enthusiasm amid economic uncertainty. That the average Canadian household continues to spend around $70 at Halloween is surprising given the rising cost of living and the economic uncertainty many are facing, said Dr. Sandeep Arora, Department Head and Associate Professor, Marketing Department at the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business.

To read more, please visit The Winnipeg Free Press.

It’s time to get spooky with this month’s Instagram photo contest

Jaclyn Obie — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 15:07:34 +0000

Spooky season is here! Time to show your Halloween spirit in our Halloween themed photo contest on @umstudent. Are you dressing up for Halloween? Carving pumpkins and putting up web decorations? Attending a Halloween-themed event on (or off) campus? Or maybe campus is just giving you a spooky vibe on a gloomy day?

Share your spook-tacular shot and use the hashtag #umSpookySeason for a chance to win a $25 gift card from the Campus Bookstore!

RULES AND REGULATIONS

This Instagram Photo Contest (#umSpookySeason) runs from 9 a.m. CST on Monday, October 21, 2019 to midnight CST on Monday, November 4, 2019 on www.instagram.com/umstudent.

To be entered to win, follow @umstudent on Instagram, post a photo or video of something spooky or Halloween related, and use the contest hashtag. PRIVATE Instagram accounts must be PUBLIC during the contest in order to qualify for entry.

Images depicting dangerous behaviour or the consumption of alcohol or illegal substances will not be eligible. All other entries posted during the contest period will be considered and one winner will be chosen. You may enter as many times as you like. The winning photo’s account owner will receive a gift card from the U of M Bookstore valued at $25.

The winning entry will be chosen by the Marketing and Communications Office and will be selected based on composition, creativity, quality and adherence to the theme. The winner will be notified by Instagram direct message and then announced publicly on the account.

Prize must be picked up from the Student Life office in UMSU University Centre during regular business hours.

Contest is open to all residents of Manitoba, and the prize must be picked up at the U of M Fort Garry campus. By tagging #umSpringDays, you are agreeing to allow the U of M to share your photo(s) on our social media accounts and on our news site, UM Today.

Your photo(s) will not be used for commercial purposes. This contest is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc.

By entering, entrants confirm they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.

October’s spooky Instagram photo contest winner

Jaclyn Obie — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 17:38:09 +0000

Thanks to all of you who got spooky with us for our October Instagram contest! The #umspooky October Instagram photo contest inspired your gothic photograph skills, and all the entries were spook-tacular!

The winning image, the creepiest of them all, was captured by @fopeprancis who will receive a $25 gift card to the Campus Bookstore.

Stay tuned to @umstudent throughout the year for details of upcoming photo contests.

Take a look at some of our top entries from the October Instagram contest below. And check out #umspooky on Instagram, to see all of the entries. Thanks for entering!

Special shout out to @please_pick_me_um_student – keep up the hustle, your time will come!

[See image gallery at umtoday-wordpress.ad.umanitoba.ca]

October Instagram photo contest

Jaclyn Obie — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 18:40:25 +0000

It’s that time of year… are you feeling the Halloween spirit? Have you heard about the ghost of a former art professor who is rumoured to haunt Art Barn? Did you know the library has a collection documenting spiritual apparitions and ghostly incidents on campus? If that’s not enough to get your spine tingling, get out there, take some photos and share the spookiest, most gothic corners on campus.

To be entered to win, follow @umstudent on Instagram, post a photo or video showing something gothic or creepy at the U of M, and use the hashtag #umspooky.

One winner will receive a $25 gift card from the Bookstore. Stay safe, and watch out for ghosts…

RULES AND REGULATIONS

The October Instagram Photo Contest (#umspooky) runs from 9 a.m. CST on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 to midnight CST on Friday, November 2, 2018 on www.instagram.com/umstudent.

To be entered to win, follow @umstudent on Instagram, post a photo or video showing what you are looking forward to this fall, and use the hashtag #umspooky. PRIVATE Instagram accounts must be PUBLIC during the contest in order to qualify for entry.

Images depicting dangerous behaviour or the consumption of alcohol or illegal substances will not be eligible. All other entries between 9 a.m. CST on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 to midnight CST on Friday, November 2, 2018 will be considered and one winner will be chosen. You may enter as many times as you like. The winning photo account owner will receive a gift card from the U of M Bookstore valued at $25.

Prize must be picked up from the Student Life office in UMSU University Centre during regular business hours.

Contest is open to all residents of Manitoba, and the prize must be picked up at the U of M Fort Garry campus. By tagging (#umspooky, you are agreeing to allow the U of M to share your photo(s) on our social media accounts and on our news site, UM Today.

Your photo(s) will not be used for commercial purposes. This contest is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc.

By entering, entrants confirm they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.

All in the name of Halloween

Heather Saxton — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:05:54 +0000

At the U of M, Halloween has become more than a tradition of frightening antics and costume parties. While costumes and fun still play a role, sharing knowledge with children and giving back to the community have become part of university festivities, all in the name of Halloween.

We asked a few students involved in Halloween-focused events and programs to share some of the fun things they’re up to this year.

Pumpkin Party

Carving Jack o’lanterns at the Pumpkin Party

“What is Halloween without the pumpkin carving? Each year at the Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre, we host an annual Pumpkin Party. Bring your family and friends this Saturday and we’ll help you make some spooky jack o’lanterns. We’ll even clean up the mess!”

Jenna Bruneau, 2^nd year Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (Agri-business) and part-time employee at the Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre.

The Pumpkin Party will be held on Saturday, October 28 from 10:00 am to 2:00pm (drop-in). The Centre is located 15 minutes south of Winnipeg at the University of Manitoba, Glenlea Research Station. Complimentary carving stencils and snacks are provided and kids (and the young-at-heart) are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. Admission is $5 for those age 5 and older. For directions, visit: www.ffdc.ca.

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Trick or Eat program

U of M students at Trick or Eat

“Trick or Eat is an opportunity for students to contribute to the local community, enrich their awareness about food security in Winnipeg, wear a costume and Trick or Treat as an adult! The event is an annual nation-wide campaign organized by various communities in Canada. On Halloween night, more than 6000 students nation-wide go door-to-door to collect non-perishable food items for local food banks. It’s simply a great way to enjoy Halloween in a circle of new and old friends. Everyone is welcome!”

Mercy Oluwafemi, 5^th year Faculty of Science (Psychology) student and Community Service-Learning Student Coordinator

At the University of Manitoba, Trick or Eat is organized by Community Service-Learning in support of Winnipeg Harvest. For more information on this program, email praxis@umanitoba.ca or simply join the group at the Pembina Hall Student Lounge on Fort Garry Campus on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at 5:30pm

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Let’s Talk Science, Spooky Science program

Demonstrating experiment to kids at the Spooky Science event

“Spooky Science has been one of my favourite events during the year. Children come dressed up and ready to learn some science! This past weekend, we were able to reach out to over 350 people.

I hosted the magic show and the best part was seeing the excitement among everyone who was watching. At the end of the day, all of the volunteers said how awesome it was to see the light-bulb moments in the children’s faces after learning a cool science concept or while doing a spooky experiment.”

Kristine Macalinao, 3^rd year Faculty of Science (Genetics) and assistant coordinator, Let’s Talk Science

The Spooky Science program happened this year on Saturday, October 21. For more information about participating in the Let’s Talk Science program, visit: http://outreach.letstalkscience.ca/umanitoba.