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Saturday, September 28, 2024

Hoping to get a glimpse of their futures Friday night, about 50 students lined up to see psychics at the first floor of the Reitz Union. Three psychics tended to five students at a time for 10 minute sessions.

A long line crowded the lobby for most of the night as students waited for their turn.

Some students were drawn in by the line.

"We went to the first people in line, and they said the psychics were coming so we decided to tag along," said Jillian McManus, a materials engineering freshman who went to Gator Nights! with a friend.

Alan Natochy, a telecommunications junior, headed to the psychic fair because his friends were in Jacksonville. He said it was something to do.

"It was better than I thought it would be," he said. "It was really interesting."

The psychics would close their eyes and give him warnings about his future, he said.

"Who knows if it's real or not, but it's the fun of the unknown," Natochy said.

Tonya Dawson, program coordinator for the Center for Student Activities and Involvement said each Halloween, Gator Nights! showcases some kind of psychic novelty.

"A lot of our attendees like that," she said. "If something has an overwhelming response that is positive, we like to keep that going."

Patrick Burns, a paranormal researcher on truTv's "Haunting Evidence," was also featured Friday night.

Dawson said she found the psychics through GP Entertainment, the company that Patrick Burns works with. They had some good reviews at other schools, she said.

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The psychics, like the other novelties the center brings to Gator Nights!, cost about $2,000, which covers everything from travel and lodging to food, Dawson said.

Michelle Torrey, one of the psychics at the fair, said she doesn't like to be called a psychic because of the stereotypes associated with the term.

"It is a gift, and we don't abuse it," she said.

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