Walking around Hillsborough Street Halloween night, you would have seen the street bustling with a plethora of students dressed in costume going from bar to bar. It was different from past Halloweens on Hillsborough. Just from the sheer number of participants, it’s safe to say the inaugural Haunted Hillsborough Hike was a success. The success of Wednesday night’s Hike proved students now have a legitimate Raleigh option for Halloween celebrations rather than going to Franklin Street or Greenville. However, for this option to remain legitimate, it must continue the winning formula that made it a sensation — students.

Wednesday night was all about creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere for students. Unlike other events on or around campus, Campus Police and the Raleigh Police Department were out to see that Hikers had a safe and fun environment. This behavior should be duplicated in future Hikes, including next year’s Haunted Hillsborough Hike.

Event organizers should seek to close off Hillsborough Street next year and for the upcoming December Hike. According to Matt Potter, one of the event organizers, more than 2,000 Hikers made stops at Five O’Clock Sports Bar at some point during the evening. With crowds this size it would be beneficial for the safety of students as well as drivers for the street to be closed down.

Organizers did an amazing job at advertising for the event. Although there was talk of a Hillsborough Halloween last year, the event fell short. This year the organizers came through with a successful event.

Both students and organizers reaped the benefits and awards from the planning and advertisement of the Hike. Organizers benefited from the increased business as well as exposure — students benefited because they were able to have a fun evening close to home with their friends and fellow N.C. State students.

Next year, even more Hillsborough Street businesses should get involved, and the traditional Hike favorites should join in as well.

The success of Wednesday night’s Hike should be a preview to an even bigger event next year.

The Haunted Halloween Hike is shaping up to be a successful tradition. Next year the event needs to grow in size, so for those of you who went elsewhere you need to rethink your plans and stay close to home for Halloween.

Missing out on this budding tradition would be scary.