Halloween is sneaking up on us and there are many things going on around Ashland University that weekend. Peers Promoting Organized Wellness (PPOW) is sponsoring its annual Halloween dance, where there will be endless dancing and, of course, costumes are welcome. There are dancing awards for Best Male, Best Female, Best Couple, Best Overall and more.

“It’s a fun atmosphere to promote wellness,” the Rec Center’s Daniel Sellke said.

It only costs $1 or a canned food item donation to be admitted. The PPOW Halloween Dance will be in Redwood from 9 – 12 p.m. Oct. 28.

That same night, the Rec Center is hosting their weekly “X Factor” exercise program. This one is special because it’s a Halloween Square Dance exercise class. This is a Rec Center-sponsored workout where people can come get a workout while having a good time. Costumes are also welcome at this event.

“It’s a little different than our regular group exercise classes,” Sellke said.

These types of classes are pretty popular, so the Rec Center suggests signing up early because spots are limited, Sellke said. The sign-up sheet will be located at the Rec Center information desk next week. If you come to the square dance and end up having a really good time, it might be worth it to go every Thursday to see what other “X Factor” workouts the Rec Center has to offer.

For children, as well as college students interested in volunteering, the Ashland Bookstore is hosting a Halloween Costume/Storytelling party sponsored by the Ashland Community Care’s Youth and Literacy Team at 11 a.m. This event includes a snack and activity that children are more than welcome to attend. In addition to Halloween weekend, storytelling events with other themes based on children’s literature are held throughout the year in the Ashland University Bookstore. Check out the bookstore for more details.

You could also spend Halloween having your mind blown at the Mayhem and Misdirection Tour sponsored by the Ashland Center for Religious Life. The event will feature the master illusionist Harris III, with special guests 321 Improv. It should be an exciting night of magic, music, comedy and much more. This is a great way to blow off some steam from all the craziness that Halloween entails. Tickets are $2, $15 in advance for adults, $12 for groups of 10 or more and $20 the day of the show. Tickets can be purchased at the AU box office at (419) 289-5125. The show starts at 7 p.m. in the Hugo Young Theatre.

If none of these peak your interest, wearing costumes to class the Friday before Halloween is always accepted.