Halloween ball draws out popular ‘movie characters’

Jackson senior Robert Ernst loves movies by Jim Henson.

So when it came to picking out a Halloween costume this year, Ernst
chose to portray one of his favorite characters — Jareth from the 1986
movie “Labyrinth.”

Ernst danced and showed off his outfit Saturday night at the
Masquerade Ball in the Bovee University Center Rotunda.

“I always wanted to go as him (Jareth) because Labyrinth is my
favorite Jim Henson movie,” Ernst said. “I thought it’d be a good
tribute, but I needed to be able to make a good one.”

Open Grove Society sponsored the their fourth annual event, which
serves as a fundraiser for the organization.

About 60 people attended the annual dance, which featured a live DJ
and sporadic costume contests, such as best male costume, best female
costume and best gender bender.

Ernst, who was clad in a white long sleeve T-shirt, blond wig and
short pants, won gift certificates for having the best male costume.

“I’m really pleased. There’s a decent turnout and a lot of
participation in the costume contests,” Ernst said. “I’m happy with how
many people came, and they offered an enjoyable time.”

The proceeds from the event will go to local humane societies.

The ball’s theme, Bats and Buccaneers, was well represented with a
variety of costumes ranging from pirates to vampires.

People also wore more odd costumes, such as one student who was
Shredder from the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movies and another who
was the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

“It’s a huge Internet joke and a farce religion,” said Lake Orion
senior Jonathan Mann, who went as the Flying Spaghetti Monster and
helped organize the event.

Open Grove started the Masquerade because the group needed a fall
fundraiser and decided to capitalize on the Halloween holiday spirit.