Most of my Cornell Halloweens have consisted of poorly constructed costumes, pumpkin ales, and house parties with friends wearing slightly better costumes. From my freshman year, the holiday offered an excuse for my classmates and me to go out on a weeknight, and be a little more rowdy than usual. Each year, it has been more of the same—nothing new, nothing too memorable. But as a senior, every special Cornell event feels like my last, and in many cases they are. This October 31 this was my final one as an undergrad, so it had to be good.
Most Cornellians know that the four faces of the McGraw Tower clock are decorated to look like glowing jack-o-lanterns each Halloween. But another annual event also takes place there that, until recently, I’d never heard of: Spooky Chimes and the Haunted McGraw Tower. The latest chimes concert of the year takes place from 10:30 p.m. until midnight on Halloween. Costumed students and instructors perform eerie tunes, with cider and candy served to the audience. Although this would cut into my Halloween party time, I decided to go.
The chimes were already sounding as I approached the campus landmark. For the first time in my Cornell career, I climbed its 161 steps—and found a crowded room of costumed students enjoying the performance. Paper ghosts danced on the chime cables as the chimesmasters played their creepy repertoire. I climbed the final 30 steps to the top of the tower. It was dark and the chimes rung loud. I looked out the stone windows, seeing Cornell as I never had before. Below a steady stream of spectres floated toward their Halloween parties, the bright moon lighting their way.