"My costume is way better than yours"
Finding the perfect costume seems to be the first step in making or breaking one's personal Halloween festivities. The costume shows a lot about character, and creates energy people will feed off of. Some might go with the traditional ghost costume, but putting in an extra thought our two could earn an extra point or two.
Vintage Wearhouse, located at 401 E. Fourth St. in Bloomington, has more than 4,000 costumes available to rent for approximately $25 a costume. Anything from a pimp outfit to Civil War garb to Clifford the Big Red Dog can be found there. Owner Sara Harvey has been in the business for 20 years and says she's just about seen it all.
"We've got just about everything anyone would want here," she says. "Except one guy wanted to be a hot dog with relish, and mustard and tomatoes this year. I've never heard of a hot dog with tomatoes, but I couldn't help him out."
If you're dressing to impress, guys have to go with something off the wall. Forget the mullet wig (it's already getting old) and go with a rat tail and racing stripes. Maybe even throw on a stonewashed jean jacket and shave your old high school football number in the back of your head. When a girl asks about the number, tell her your old war stories. She'll love it.
Don't like that idea? Pick up a rattle, put on your diaper and bib and be a baby for Halloween. It's a win-win situation. If you've got a six pack and a set of guns to show off, ladies are sure to notice you first at a party. If you've got more of a keg-like figure, you'll win any lady over with your confidence and character.
Unlike the thought processes that go into a guy's costume, girls' costumes require very little to impress. In fact, Harvey, says that "very little" seems to be the evolving trend in women's costumes.
"Girls' costumes get sluttier and sluttier every year," Harvey says, flipping through a Foreplay merchandise catalog. "The naughty nurse look seems to be what everyone is going for."
Let the freak show begin
Once a costume's been decided, the script comes next.
Freshman and Vintage Wearhouse employee Derek Reckley says he's dressing as Elvis for Halloween, and plans on rockin' his house all night.
"I'm definitely going to throw a party at my house," he says. "I've already started planning out everything."
The first step in planning out the party is to obviously call people. The second is to set up how to distinguish your party from those of others.
Reckley plans on getting some orange lights and putting them up around the house, accompanied, of course, by spiderwebs. As for music, he says traditional scary fare might be a little too boring. What's a guy to do? Something needs to be thrown in the old 8-track.
"Thriller might be a good idea," he says. "Of course, some Elvis (too)."
If Reckley's idea of Halloween doesn't seem like a good time -- maybe you're more of the entrepreneur and less of the partier -- build a haunted house and charge admission.
Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity hosts a haunted house every year and makes at least $5,000. Although costs equal around $1,000 for everything, with a joint effort from some friends, money can be made.
"Black tarps, black lights and strobe lights are huge," Lambda Chi Alpha's Philanthropy Chzair Brian Houlihan says. "As for costumes, clown outfits and zombies are always scary."
Even though Houlihan wouldn't go into the details of the mechanics of the props, he did say he's figured out some gadgets work better than others.
"We used to use swinging objects," he says. "But they don't really scare anyone. We have a part that looks like a train's coming at you. That is pretty scary."
According to www.hauntguide.com, a Web site devoted to crafting haunted houses, creating a theme for a haunted house is essential. One in particular the site suggests implies the house's dead owners have returned to take the house back. The site also gives instructions on anything from how to make optical illusions, such as a moving train, to how to make rooms look like graveyards.
To combine the entrepreneurial and partying elements, make the party a haunted house -- the best of both worlds.
Dress up to get down
or those big hearts not interested in partying or personal profits on Halloween, Dance Marathon will be starting tomorrow in the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. With music, games and dancing for 36 hours, more than 1,000 people will be working to benefit Riley Children's Hospital. Although Riley Development Director Matt Sowder says he enjoys his Halloween, giving time up for the less fortunate is more important.
"We're kind of celebrating the year in fundraising," Sowder says. "We host the kids, give them games and activities, and then they give their speeches."
Sowder says he's not sure how much has been raised thus far this year, but efforts raised $415,000 last year. Altogether 15 children, along with their families, are anticipated to participate in the event.
Since the event is on Halloween, Sowder says he hopes everyone dresses for the occasion.
"I anticipate all the kids dressing up," he says. "We told all of the dancers and workers to dress up also, and we're having the kids trick or treat on Saturday in the gym. It should be a good time."
Although Sowder's good time may be different than others this year, he holds no regrets about the way he celebrates Oct. 31.
"It's tough having it on Halloween," he says. "But at least we're letting the kids have their Halloween."
Dance Marathon starts Friday at 8 p.m. and ends Sunday at 8 a.m.
