That’s a wrap: MCC’s Candy Cruise brings campus and community together
Five-year-old Tobias Parker of Meridian is already a Candy Cruise regular.
The 2025 event at Meridian Community College’s Track marked his second year circling the course, bucket in hand, gathering treats from decorated tents. This year, his 18-month-old sister, Raina, joined the fun, stroller-escorted by their parents, Thomas and Michele Parker.
Dressed as a cowboy, complete with a black hat, brown-and-white embroidered boots, and a blue Halloween
bucket, Tobias summed up the experience simply: “The best part is the candy,” he said, holding up a fun-sized Sour Patch Kid. 
“This event has truly become a community favorite,” said Jan Murphy, MCC Eagle’s Nest Bookstore Manager. “Every year, we see families, students, and community members coming together in such a fun and positive way.”
More than 2,500 participated in Candy Cruise 2025, and thousands of pieces of candy were given.
Hosted by the MCC Eagle’s Nest Bookstore and sponsored by the MCC Foundation, the Candy Cruise brings together campus teams and organizations who transform the track into a colorful lineup of themed booths overflowing with candy and creativity. Each station is uniquely decorated, with students and MCC employees dressed in festive costumes ready to hand out treats and share in the fun Halloween spirit.
“The best part is seeing everybody having a good time interacting with the booths,” Murphy said. “It was good for the families.”
The event also offered an experience for students. Ned Simpson, a freshman from Ocean Grove, Australia, said he had heard how big Halloween was in the United States but was still surprised by Candy Cruise. “But I can’t believe just in a local community how many people celebrate a holiday like this.”
“I’m very lucky and glad to be a part of it,” Simpson noted, as he paused from helping a child throw a ping pong ball into a box of open tennis ball cans.
“It’s great to see all the smiles you can put on kids’ faces doing effortless things. I think it’s great that Meridian Community College puts in the time to create a safe place for these young kids to do,” Simpson added.
Gavin Robles, a sophomore from Columbus, echoed Simpson. “This is barely anything for us to come out here and do this, but it makes their whole day. It’s just good to give back a little bit.”
Originally launched in 2020 as a drive-through event during the pandemic, Candy Cruise has since evolved into an in-person celebration that combines the best of MCC’s creativity and community spirit.
As the 2025 event wrapped up, Tobias sorted through his Halloween bucket filled with candy and prizes. Among the treats was a toothbrush, a treat from Meridian Community College’s Dental Hygiene students, who were among the campus programs and organizations represented at the event.
It was a small touch that highlighted what the evening was all about - community, connection, and a campus full of smiles.
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu.