On All Hallows’ Eve, Minions, pirates, bees and even a big red balloon dog flocked to USC Village’s Great Lawn for Spirits at Troy. Kids and adults alike reveled in the Halloween spirit by trick-or-treating, playing carnival games, petting puppies and listening to live music performed by local elementary schoolers at the event.

Shops at USC Village and USC Residential Housing Association co-organized the event in association with USC Helenes, Trojan Knights, Department of Public Safety and North Area Neighborhood Development Council.

Lisa Miller, the mother of toddler Cheryl Miller who was dressed in a tiger onesie, said the performance by Miramonte Elementary and Cali Brass Band was her favorite part of the night because her child enjoyed dancing to it. Miller also appreciated how accessible the event was.

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“It is easy to come here to a special place where you know [where] everything is,” Lisa Miller said. “Everyone’s very friendly, handing out candy and surprises.”

Booths with games such as ring toss, a Jenga stacking competition and a version of the viral “Face the Cookie” game — where contestants had to navigate an Oreo cookie from their forehead into their mouth — lined the back of the event.

Joseph Kim, a Community Council President in RHA and a freshman majoring in human biology, ran the Jenga table where competitors faced off in a 30-second, one-versus-one matchup to build a tower higher than the other players. While both people received pieces of candy for their efforts, the winner earned a sticker as an additional prize.

As a member of the Community Council, Kim said he enjoyed that the event was open to everyone.

“We always interact with college students, but I think what’s particularly exciting about the event is that we can contribute to the community outside,” Kim said.

Outside the gates, DPS officers took photos with kids, handed out candy and offered safety advice for the rest of the night.

“What we’re doing here tonight is … trying to make sure that we can put smiles on the community’s face,” said Adrian Peña, the supervisor for DPS’ Community Outreach and Partnerships Unit.

Peña said Spirits at Troy is a good way to bring people together through outreach and bring awareness to what USC does for the community.

“Sometimes that can easily get lost in how big the University is … but I think it really shows that USC does care about the community, its outreach, the relationships it builds and its ability to maintain those relationships long term,” Peña said.

Ed Robinson and Jodie Younce brought their kids — Zoe-Marie, Thea and June — to the event because they have enjoyed going to USC-sponsored events in the past.

The Robinson-Younce family came in a group costume inspired by “The Wizard of Oz” (1939): Ed Robinson as The Tin Man, Jodie Younce as The Scarecrow, Zoe-Marie as Dorothy, Thea as Glinda and June as The Wicked Witch of the West.

Halloween is a family favorite in the Robinson-Younce household because of all the traditions and time you get to spend with your family, Zoe-Marie said. 

Although Ed Robinson predicted his daughters were most excited to try new things or visit the puppy-petting area, Zoe-Marie said her favorite part of coming to the event was that their “whole family is matching.”