By Hilary Connelly
Every year, Cougars venture to Utah State to celebrate Halloween - Aggie style.
The HOWL is the largest Halloween party in Utah and each year Brigham Young University students make the trip to Logan to show off their dance moves, costumes and originality.
USU sponsors the celebration and this Saturday night Oct. 26, the Aggies expect more than 6,500 people. With live music, several dance floors and other entertainment venues; students make the two-hour drive in anticipation of Halloween''s biggest party.
Returning from last year''s success as the USA jump rope team, a group of BYU friends make their mark this year at the HOWL as the Swedish massage team.
'Tryouts for the team were really competitive this year, our goal is to work as a quorum and make this year''s HOWL tour the best season ever,' said team founder Ryan Smith, 24, a junior from Provo majoring in business management.
Smith and other team members began their quest for the perfect costume and theme last year. When making the decision, the group said it is all about the presentation.
'We are all about team unity,' said Dave Lund, 23, a junior from Pleasanton, Calif. majoring in Economics. 'Last year we got such great reactions as the jump rope team, we decided to continue the tradition and represent as the Swedish massage team.'
Lund said that Halloween is all about having fun and making sure other people have a good time. 'At the HOWL, people jumped rope with us and we hope this year we''ll have the same impression.'
Newcomers Brain Martin, 22, a junior from El Dorado Hills, Calif. majoring in Economics and James Jackson, 23 a junior from Provo also majoring in Economics shared the excitement for this year''s USU celebration.
'I was recruited because of my massage skills,' said Martin. 'Last year''s team was such a hit that I wanted to be part of the team.'
Costume originality is one of the main attractions that the HOWL has to offer. Groups like the Swedish massage team plan their costumes and appearance for weeks so that their representation is unique.
'About ten of us decided to be the massage team because it is original and very appealing,' said Jackson. 'We wanted to be something you''ve never seen before. Who doesn''t want a massage?'
Along with the professional masseuses, massage oil boys and security personnel are complementing the team''s one-of-a-kind appearance.
Some students opt to take part in the HOWL festivities for its great dancing and socializing opportunities. It offers a variety of activities such as: live music, karaoke, hypnotist shows and of course - dancing. The doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets are sold for $12 at the door.
'We get students from all over,' said Tiffany Evans, Activities Director for USU. 'It''s a great opportunities for college students to get together from other institutions and have a good time.' Evans said the HOWL sells out every year and around 10:30 p.m. they start turning people away.
'I always laugh at ID''s from cougarland,' said Evans, 'but it seems so be pretty popular among BYU students.'
'Last year the HOWL was pretty fun, but it would''ve been better if Provo hosted something like this,' said Lezlie Wagner, 20, a junior from San Diego majoring in communications. 'You don''t know very many people because it''s put on by a different school. But the dancing is great.'
Wagner and her friends started talking about costume ideas over a month ago. She decided to dress up as Pee-Wee Herrmann because her friends thought it was dorky and not the usual boring costume.
'Everywhere I looked, there were girls dressed up as sluts,' said Wagner, 'What is Halloween all about showing as much skin as possible?'
Last year, people were blurred by the lack of clothing that surrounded them. Some noticed the clan of Brittany Spears look-a-likes and expressed their surprise.
'There is a mix of everything, some people are not as extreme in their dress and others just want to stand out and make an impression,' said Evans.
To make a mark at the big event, Jason White, 23, a junior from Reno, Nevada majoring in accounting, who is a member of the massage team, suggested dressing up in something that you are comfortable in.
'My friends and I picked something we are good at and then ran with it, everyone should take their skills and personality into consideration,' said White.
Costume creativity really makes Halloween fun said some students, and preparation makes all the difference.
'We started training back in April for the big night,' said Smith, 'The two-a-days have been really killing us, but I think all the hard work will really pay off this weekend.'