Recent data show that candy and gum prices are up more than 7.7% from last year, making it more expensive than usual to please trick-or-treaters this Halloween season.

Happening off Campus: According to recent FRED data, candy and gum prices are up more than 7.7% from last year, and more than 18% from the year before that. Cocoa beans are the main driver of these price increases. Heavy rains and droughts in places like West Africa have kept cocoa bean harvests especially low in recent years, despite a slow pickup in the last few months. Nonetheless, Halloween spending across the board remains high, up 3% this year (NPR).

Happening near Campus: The 53rd annual Village Halloween Parade is happening this Saturday. This year’s theme, “Body and Soul,” celebrates the connection between the skeleton, imagination, and dance. If you’re interested in catching the parade, it’ll start moving along Sixth Avenue at 7 pm, ending at West 15th Street (CBS).

Happening on-Campus: MidDay Music, a free event that invites the public to listen to Columbia students perform a collection of famous works, returns to Buell Hall today from 1 to 2 pm. See details here. 

Song of the Day: “Take a Bite” by beabadoobee

Candy Bowl via Bwarchives