DELAND, Fla. -- Stetson University student-athletes and coaches will join hundreds of kids and area families tonight at the annual Monsters on MainStreet event in downtown DeLand.
The family-friendly Halloween-themed event, conducted by the MainStreet DeLand Association, takes place from 6-8 p.m. on Woodland Blvd. in downtown DeLand. In addition to Hatter student-athletes from more than a dozen different teams, local businesses, dignitaries and community figures will be handing out approximately 3,000 pounds of candy.
Monsters on MainStreet marks the second major event of the year that featured a collaboration of Stetson Athletics and MainStreet DeLand Association. On Sept. 19, approximately 3,000 attendees enjoyed a spirited celebration of Hatter Athletics at the inaugural "HatterFest" on W Indiana Ave. For a full recap of HatterFest, including photos and an energetic video, click here.
Hatter sports programs expected to make an appearance at tonight's Monsters on MainStreet include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis and beach volleyball. In addition to handing out candy, members of various teams will be passing out posters, conducting face painting, demonstrating their sport to children, signing autographs, taking photos and interacting with members of the community.
About MainStreet DeLand Association
MainStreet DeLand Association is a 501(c)(3) charitable cause dedicated to supporting and enhancing the continuing economic development of Downtown DeLand while protecting and promoting its historic heritage. Since its designation in 1985, the organization has been instrumental in reimagining the design of downtown, attracting investors and business owners, and advocating for economic opportunity for small businesses in Downtown DeLand. The organization is the only Main Street in the U.S. to be the recipient of both the Great American Main Street Award (1997) and America's Best Main Street (2017).
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
