Cloaked in his not-so-spooky vampire attire, Boomer conjured up the ultimate photo op for fans, complementing a picture-perfect fall day on the Mount Carmel Campus. 

Karla Natale ’99, MS ’14, associate vice president for community partnerships and university events, said the annual free event now draws over 800 attendees, including many returning families.  

“We’ve turned it into a community tradition and a great opportunity for people to interact with us here at the university,” Natale said. “People look forward to this every year, and families keep returning year after year. We love that they get to connect with our student-athletes and organizations. We’re also really proud to partner with local businesses -- they bring so much to the event.”  

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., kids filled Boo Bash bags with giveaways and treats while enjoying activities, kid-sized sports challenges, an inflatable playground, food trucks, dancing to music and much more.

Quinnipiac President Marie Hardin said she loved to see the town-gown spirit in full effect at Boomer’s Boo Bash.

“What you see here are members of the Quinnipiac community serving the local community, and you see the local community embracing the Quinnipiac community. This helps us bring value to the place where we live as a university and also allows the community to see us at our best,” Hardin said.  

Originating eight years ago as a Quinnipiac Athletics outreach initiative, Boomer’s Boo Bash has expanded through the years under the umbrella of Quinnipiac community partnerships and university events programming. 

In addition to student-athletes, clubs, and organizations, the event partners with Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce to bring local businesses in on the fun. Quinnipiac offers free tabling for local businesses to showcase their services, engage in activities and give away goodies.  

Chamber President Nancy Dudchik said it’s exciting to partner with Quinnipiac for this event and to see Boomer’s Boo Bash grow every year.

“It’s a wonderful event every year, and we’re so proud to be a part of it. This allows the whole community the chance to come in and experience this beautiful campus. People know about it and look forward to it, and this year in particular, I think there is more community than ever before,” Dudchik said.

Although Boo Bash primarily focuses on giving-back to the community, its impact extends far beyond, positively affecting a diverse range of individuals and groups. 

"When you see the students engaging with everyone, I think it makes the students feel like part of the community, too. It’s also a four-hour event where local businesses can engage with community members and show them a bit more about what they do. It’s just such a win-win,” Dudchik said.  

Handing out fun glasses with colorful frames and lots of candy, Manny Colón, owner of Hamden-based Fritz & Hawley Guild Opticians, was back for another year at Boomer’s Boo Bash. The independently owned company has been in Hamden since 1960 and also has a New Haven location.

“It’s a great outing for the kids and for their families and community members, and a great opportunity for us to introduce the brand. They’re becoming more aware of what we do and that we’re right around the corner for anything eyewear related for them and their kids as they grow,” said Colón.

At the All American Waste touch-a-truck station, kids lined up to climb inside the cab of a roll-off container truck and blast a horn heard across campus.

“It’s fantastic to mix and mingle with people,” said Allen Koher, a member of All American Waste’s customer service and community relations team. “The kids love jumping in and out of the truck, and it gets our name and brand out there. It’s a fun way to advertise and connect with people.”

Koher credited Julia Kloss ’26, MS ’27, who is All American Waste’s current social media and graphic design intern, with bringing the company to the event. Last fall, as a co-account executive with Quinnipiac’s student-run marketing firm, The Agency, Kloss helped invite All American Waste to join Boomer’s Boo Bash for the first time.

“It was such a hit last year, and this year it’s another big hit,” Kloss said. “It’s really cool to see how broad of an impact your work can have on such a big community.”

For student-athletes like Bobcat women’s lacrosse midfielder Hannah West ’28, Boomer’s Boo Bash was a chance to connect with local families in a meaningful way.

“I think it’s important for us to get involved in the community,” West said. “It helps our program be known as people who truly love this community. As much fun as these kids are having, we’re having just as much fun out here.”

Seeing so many of her fellow Bobcat athletes out on the Quad made the day even more special.

“We have a ton of teams out here, which is great,” West added. “Representing Quinnipiac Athletics as a whole is really important. Everyone wants to be involved, so we’re just elevating that team spirit.”

Bobcat men’s tennis player and international student Alessandro Sciacca ’28, MBA ’29, joined his teammates in volleying across the net with some very enthusiastic young challengers.

“It’s very fun — I’m sweating!” Sciacca said with a laugh. “It’s a great experience for the kids and for us, too. We learn from them, they learn from us, and we get to play some tennis.”

Quinnipiac women’s cross country and track teams ran costumed kids through a pint-sized obstacle course. Teammates Ryan Kelly ’28 and Kayleanne Campbell ’29 said interacting with their neighbors amped up the Halloween spirit and community spirit. 

“We set up a fun little course where kids jump over tiny hurdles, weave through cones, and run through the ladder, plus games like cornhole,” Kelly said. “Connecting with the community is so important because they’re such a big part of Quinnipiac. Making the kids happy is really special.”

“It’s awesome to see all these kids having such a good time,” added Campbell. “It’s just really fun for all of us.”

New to Boomer’s Boo Bash this year, Quinnipiac’s Lightsaber Dueling Club challenged young warriors to duel with members in brief battles.

Club president and computer science major Zachary Nedell ’28 said he was having a blast when battling with the kids. “I can’t believe I can’t defeat 10 different children,” Nedell said, laughing. 

Plenty of Quinnipiac students are also showing interest in the club, which started up about three years ago. Nedell said training sessions are always filled by at least 30 of the club’s over 100 members. 

“We train up members to sword fight/duel with light sabers, and we train them in the seven Star Wars forms. It’s really cool” Nedell explained. 

A few activity stations away, members of Quinnipiac’s Pre-Physician Assistant (PA) Club were helping kids turn orange balloons into stress squishies decorated as jack-o'-lanterns.

Isabella Goodreau ‘28 a health science major on the PA prep track, said Boomer’s Boo Bash was a fun chance for club members to get in touch with the community. 

“Having something for stress relief in a high-stress job is something that we can relate to, and I think it’s a great activity for the kids. It’s been very popular today,” Goodreau said. “They’re having fun scooping flour into their balloon and decorating it anyway they want.”

Parents said Boomer’s Boo Bash was packed with safe family fun and a great way to get to know Quinnipiac. Cheshire mom Jackie van Haaften brought her two-year-old son, Oliver, who most enjoyed giving his Chase PAW Patrol costume a test run in Boomer’s bouncy house.  

“He’s having a great time! There are so many activities,” van Haaften said. “We haven’t been here before, but I saw the signs out in the community, and I have a lot of friends who went to Quinnipiac, so I know it’s a great school. We’re really excited to be here for a fun, safe day outside.”  

Dressed up as cartoon Numberblocks with their two little ones, Hamden parents Bob Knight and Becca Lak arrived with a crew of six family members to enjoy Boomer’s Boo Bash for the fifth year in a row.  The couple said they felt like Quinnipiac’s annual community Halloween event has become a family tradition.

“To be able to come out in the fall and have something that’s consistent and kid-friendly with open space, and with things like having the food trucks here, makes it a nice little Saturday,” said Knight. 

“We love to see the athletes and the student organizations,” Lak added. “It’s great to see that role-modeling in lots of active ways.”