DELAND, Fla. — Stetson University's student-athletes traded their jerseys for costumes and candy buckets Friday night, joining thousands of kids, families and visitors in downtown DeLand for the annual Monsters on MainStreet celebration.
More than 200 Hatters from nearly every athletic team took part in the event, handing out candy, painting faces, playing games and enjoying a night of Halloween fun with the community.
Presented by the MainStreet DeLand Association, Monsters on MainStreet is one of Central Florida's most popular fall events, drawing visitors from across the region for a night of costumes, treats and small-town charm.
"Monsters on MainStreet is such a great event," said men's soccer coach Emmett Rutkowski, whose team brought a speaker and turned their section of the street into an impromptu dance party. "Our guys love participating, and you can see on everyone's faces how much fun they're having. This is one of the highlights of the year for Hatter athletics."
From candy giveaways to spooky games, Hatters of all sports showed their Stetson spirit and helped make downtown DeLand just a little more magical.
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.
