Across The Quad: Flight of the Great Pumpkin

Within the Corps of Cadets, students choose to join one of 41 different home units.  Each of these units, also referred to as “outfits”, are unique with their own personalities, traditions and special focuses. 

For cadets in Company C-2, a special Halloween-themed tradition, “Flight of the Great Pumpkin”, also known simply as “Flight”, has been a unit staple since 1963. Held annually either on Halloween or in the days leading up to it, Flight of the Great Pumpkin has evolved throughout the years.

“The roots of Flight of the Great Pumpkin trace back to 1963. The name is inspired by a Charles Schulz 1959 comic strip, later televised in 1966, titled, “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.” This comic displays Linus waiting for the Great Pumpkin to rise on Halloween Night. To mimic this, junior cadets wrapped a fish (freshman) in a bedsheet, placed a pumpkin on his head, gave him a flaming broom and sent him running across the Quad,” said Jeb Barber ‘26, a senior cadet in Company C-2. 

“By the mid-1960s, the tradition evolved as C-2 cadets began to attempt to smash the pumpkin in the Aggie Band’s dorms. In the 1970s and 80s, the tradition had sparked a full-blown rivalry between C-2 and the band. Today, Flight has adapted with campus culture, developing into a symbolic tradition that celebrates Halloween, honors the former rivalry between C-2 and the band and gives cadets in C-2 the opportunity to participate in one of Texas A&M’s most unique and rich traditions,” Barber continued.

In its current iteration, Flight is an event that members at every class level participate in, to varying degrees. 

“On the night of Flight, cadets from each class in C-2 participate. In preparation of the event, freshmen in Halloween masks walk around the Quad, hand out candy and build excitement for the event by telling people when the Great Pumpkin will take flight. Sophomores also have several responsibilities. They sell C-2’s Flight themed 12th Man Towels and collect the pieces of smashed pumpkin after Flight has concluded,” Barber explained.  

“The whitebelts (juniors and seniors) are part of the main event. Bearing torches, pumpkins and face paint, they march around the Quad to the tune of “O Fortuna.” For underclassmen, their participation builds the anticipation of ‘earning’ Flight their junior year. As an upperclassman, participating in flight is the culmination of all the hard work you have poured into C-2.”

Arguably one of the most unique traditions on the Quad, Flight of the Great Pumpkin is a tradition that binds generations of C-2 cadets together through one evening. 

“When you see the number of C-2 alumni who come out to support Flight, it shows you how special being in C-2 is and how special Flight is. I have seen C-2 alumni from the 60s all the way to last year’s zips (seniors) come to support current members of C-2 on this night. This support shows that C-2 is not just an organization, it is a brotherhood with the mission of supporting and building each other up,” Barber said. 

For those interested in visiting the Quad to watch Flight firsthand, members of C-2 hope they can help them get into the Halloween spirit in a way that is entirely unique to Texas A&M. 

“This year, the Great Pumpkin takes Flight at 10:31 on Halloween Night. We invite everyone to come join C-2 in Texas A&M’s greatest Halloween tradition, and celebrate Halloween in a way that can only be found at A&M,” Barber said.