By Jessica Wind (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: November 7, 2012
Gone are the Halloweens spent wandering around the neighbourhood in a hand-me-down Power Rangers mask; for most university students, those days have given way to the consumption of copious amounts of alcohol in celebration of October 31.
Accordingly, the Abbotsford Police Department (APD) responded to calls all over town this Halloween, despite the downpour outside.
“We had a very busy night and alcohol, noise and Halloween excuses were all in play” APD media liason, constable Ian Macdonald explained. The argument isn’t that people shouldn’t indulge on Halloween, but that they should be aware of the effects of their indulgences.
“Your fun should never negatively impact on others who do not wish to share in your definition of fun,” Macdonald stated.
Luckily, positive fun was all the rage on Halloween during AfterMath’s first pub crawl. Unlike previous pub nights that took place entirely on campus, this event began at AfterMath and then “crawled” over to Phoenix Lounge, located behind the AESC and next to Finnegan’s bar.
The purpose of this and future crawls is that because AfterMath can only serve food and liquor until 9 p.m., the party then transfers over to Phoenix.
Because the campus restaurant is struggling to bring in revenue, the arrangement is a win on all fronts. AfterMath sees an increase in food sales for their portion of the event and receives $250 from Phoenix for the added business. Phoenix sees an increase in their Thursday night liquor sales, and UFV students get pub nights back for the first time in years.
The trial run for pub crawls had the potential for mishap, considering it coincided with Halloween’s reputation for liquor- induced shenanigans, overall the event was judged a success.
“Logistically, it worked really well,” AfterMath manager Brad Ross explained. “[Two servers] in Ghostbusters costumes hopped up on the bar and said, ‘Everyone follow us!’ . . . Within 12 seconds the place cleared out.”
Over 130 students dressed in their Halloween finest and paraded over to the Phoenix where they were granted free cover and AfterMath prices.
“We have $3 beer and $3 highballs; so did they, and they will continue it for all the pub nights” Ross stated.
Halloween brings with it a bad reputation that AfterMath managed to escape, despite other licensed establishments in Abbotsford running into issues. Abbotsford’s restaurants and pubs were competing for the affections of costumed clientele.
Between fireworks being set off from one Abbotsford bar’s roof and an argument escalating in another’s parking lot, the fact that AfterMath successfully marched 130 students from one bar to the next is noteworthy.
“How can we pull that off when other places had trouble with an occupancy of 60?” Ross questioned, somewhat incredulously.
On an evening when so many others were pushing the boundaries, AfterMath stayed well within their limits. Anyone underage was not able to make the move over to Phoenix had to end their night once AfterMath cleared out, but were still able to enjoy the on-campus portion of the evening.
“We stayed within our license because we served food the whole time,” Ross said.
Authorities avoided, incidents non-existent, laws and licenses adhered to – the Halloween pub crawl was an overall success.
“Phoenix was packed; they were ecstatic.” Ross said of the result of the evening. “It brought back pub nights.”
On the heels of a successful evening, the next crawl is set for November 8, and students are invited to show off the best Movember ‘stache they can muster – ask at AfterMath for more information.
