Troyapalooza returns for another year of fun

As the Halloween spirit sets in, students can look forward to this year’s Troyapalooza, taking place Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the amphitheater in Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park. Students can enjoy food, an exciting costume competition and a musical performance by the university’s pop music ensemble POPulus under the night sky.

The purpose of the Halloween event is to provide a fun, interactive experience for Troy students while allowing them to bring their creativity outside the classroom and put it on display in the park.

Carrie Jaxon, coordinator for the International Arts Center, said Troyapalooza began in 2021 as an opportunity to showcase the talents of Troy University's art, design and music students.

"The whole idea behind Troyapalooza is to offer a real engaging activity and a fun activity for our university students," Jaxon said.

The evening's activities will begin at 6:30 p.m., with POPulus taking the stage at 7 p.m. for a full concert.

Alongside the music, students can enjoy an assortment of fair-style foods, including hamburgers, hot dogs, fritters and fried Oreos.

While the costumes and music will bring the Halloween celebration to life, another tradition will allow students to become part of the artistic experience themselves.

Each year, Troy's art and design students compete to create an original design for Troyapalooza. This year's winning design, created by Hieu Thanh Vo, serves as the artwork promoting the 2026 celebration. Attendees will also have the opportunity to screen print the design onto their own T-shirts.

Because the design changes each year, returning students have an opportunity to build a collection of shirts that reflects their experiences at Troyapalooza throughout their time at the university.

Jaxon said the activity gives students something more personal to take home than a typical event souvenir.

"It's like they get to make a piece of art that they can wear and walk off and have for themselves," Jaxon said.

Students in costume will also have the opportunity to compete for gift certificates from local businesses in the event's costume contest.