SOCORRO, N.M. – Ghosts and goblins, witches and werewolves, princesses and superheroes are all invited to a pre-Halloween celebration – the second-annual Monster Mash Bash on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 4 to 7 p.m. at New Mexico Tech. All ages are invited to the free outdoor festival, which will take place along Campus Drive and the New Mexico Tech Athletic Field.

Carnival games, contests and arts and crafts activities like pumpkin decorating will be available for kids and kids at heart, sponsored by New Mexico Tech’s Residential Life, Auxiliary Services, Recreation and Mentorship/Outreach departments, Student Government Association and student clubs, plus Positive Outcomes and the city of Socorro. Monster Mash Bash attendees are encouraged to wear their costumes and participate in a costume contest.

A highlight of the event will be the burning of “Mr. Gloom,” a traditional way of sending individuals’ troubles and worries up in flames each fall.

Kids can collect candy from vendors, local organizations, and “trunk or treat” vehicles. Food vendors will be available throughout the festival as well as a spirits area for adults.

If you want to watch New Mexico Tech’s championship rugby team in action, there will be a game on the Athletic Field starting at 2 p.m., always an exciting event. 

Two local musical groups will perform at the Monster Mash Bash:

• “Horror Channel” - Previewing an original horror-themed rock musical, band and cast members of “Horror Channel” will perform some of the 15 songs from the debut musical penned by Socorro resident Colleen Gino. The show will premiere the following weekend – Friday, Nov. 4, and Saturday, Nov. 5 – at the Macey Center. Tickets for the performances Nov. 4 and 5 and more information are available on the New Mexico Tech Performing Arts website: https://www.nmt.edu/pas/2022-2023/Horror%20Channel.php
• Fundamental - A foursome of New Mexico Tech students will play a mix of indie and alt-rock covers with some punk thrown in as well as some original songs. Fundamental includes: Chris Roy on the guitar and vocals, Russell Durham on drums, Jackson Vaughn Furr on bass and vocals, and David Padilla on guitar. Roy and Furr are computer science majors, Durham is a chemical engineering major, and Padilla is a civil engineering major. Lately, Fundamental has hit the Albuquerque music scene, playing a variety of venues that feature original music.