By Sarah Carlson, Copy Editor
The annual Honors Students Association’s Masquerade is 6 p.m. Saturday at the Abilene Zoo, and students can choose to dress up or just enjoy the activities.
Three bands will perform while students can play carnival-type games and eat cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones.
Bethany Scroggins, junior psychology and English major from Hallsville, said the theme for this year’s Masquerade is like a circus, and with tickets at only $4, she said it is more affordable than previous years.
“Tickets for the Zoo are usually $3,” Scroggins said, “so the $4 really is a good deal.”
Students can dress up and participate in both costume and mask contests, and Scroggins said she encourages students to go along with the Zoo theme and wear animal costumes.
Dressing up is optional, though, and the Masquerade is open to everyone with an ACU student ID.
Kaela Latimer, junior elementary education major from Amarillo, said people from outside of the ACU community can attend; they just need to be with an ACU student.
The past two years, the Masquerade has had more of a Renaissance theme, but Scroggins said they wanted to make the theme more comfortable because of its outdoor location.
“It being at the Zoo, we thought the circus theme would be a little bit more fun,” Latimer said, “and the atmosphere just seemed appropriate.”
HSA is funded through SA, but Scroggins said they did not receive all the money they requested, so this event will help cover extra costs. The event is HSA’s main fund-raiser for the fall, with proceeds going to pay for the bands at the event, as well as the upkeep of the organization and events like Deep Dish Philosophy.
HSA is not a part of the Honors Program, and Scroggins stressed that everyone can attend its events. She said they are looking for at least 100 to attend the Masquerade, and the Zoo location makes it possible for many to attend.
“If more show up,” Latimer said, “that would be wonderful. It’s going to be a whole lot of fun.”
Students can buy tickets for $4 in the Campus Center ticket windows or at the door at the Masquerade.
“We just want to get people out there,” Latimer said. “We’re looking at providing some good entertainment for people.”