NEW LONDON, Conn. (Oct. 6, 2026)—Mitchell College’s Behavioral Science Club is hosting its 16th Annual Family Halloween Festival on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on the Mitchell College Green, the Clarke Center, and the Weller Center. The event is free and open to the public. Families from New London and the surrounding areas are invited to attend and bring canned food items for the Gemma Moran United Way/Labor Food Pantry.

The event features family-style fun with holiday-themed arts and crafts, games, storytelling by a host of fanciful witches and goblins, face painting, and a special performance by the Community Dance Ensemble, Inc. Halloween Costume Parades are scheduled throughout the day, so participants are encouraged to wear their holiday best. Baked goods, hot dogs, popcorn, beverages, and candy apples will also be available for purchase. 

The event was originally created in 1994 by Don Helms, professor of Behavioral Sciences, to connect local families with the Mitchell College campus community. 

"We are thrilled to welcome families of Southeastern Connecticut back to our campus for our annual Family Halloween Festival," said Jennifer Mauro, faculty advisor of the Behavioral Science Club.

"Last year, we welcomed more than 500 members of our local community to our campus, and they showed up for their community by donating nonperishable goods for entry, which we were able to give to the Gemma Moran United Way Food Pantry on their behalf.  We look forward to continuing that tradition this year. The Behavioral Science Club takes great pride in this event because it gives the Mitchell College community a meaningful opportunity to engage with and give back to our neighbors."

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PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Mitchell College

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About Mitchell College
An inclusive, independent institution, Mitchell College believes in harnessing the power of transformation and uncovering what’s possible for every student, supporting a wide spectrum of differences in learning style, age, background, ethnicity, and personal experience. Over more than 85 years, Mitchell has developed the Mitchell Ability Model, a distinct approach blending a tradition of mentoring with expertise in teaching those with different learning and processing styles. Mitchell hosts numerous programs designed for student success before, during, and after college: Thames at Mitchell College, SAILS, Bentsen Learning Center, STAIRs, and Mitchell Hub for Digital Innovation and Educational Excellence. Located on a waterfront campus in historic New London, Connecticut, Mitchell is committed to the broader community through building strong, creative, and cooperative partnerships. The college is part of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) and home to championship NCAA Division III athletics.