Halloween is time for costume foolery
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Heather Fischer and her 1 1/2-year-old son Kalob Flanagan walk past a display of popular political figure rubber masks at Spririt Halloween Store on Milton Ave. in Janesville.
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Brian Tracy of Beloit, left, and Mike Hadley of Janesville try on some Halloween costumes at Spirit Halloween Store on Milton Ave. in Janesville.
JANESVILLE — Now is the time for all middle-aged people to say: "When I was a girl ..."
Yes, when we were children, we made our own Halloween costumes, carefully crafting something using papier-mâché or a giant cardboard box. Sometimes, a bed sheet was involved.
Nowadays, young people understand that there’s no point in spending three weeks making a costume that will dissolve the first time it rains.
Besides, young people—and their parents and their pets and their tiny siblings—can find plenty of cool costume choices in the stores.
Spirit Halloween store, which has taken up temporary residence in the old Wal-Mart at Milton Avenue and Highway 14, offers everything from pea pod costumes for babies to Bert and Ernie costumes for grownups.
However, if you’d like to be presidential candidate—and who wouldn’t—you’ll have to find a mask elsewhere.
"The Obama and McCain masks are all sold out," said Marcy Kushner, Spirit assistant manager. "I think we still have some Hilary Clinton masks."
Yes, and some Dick Cheney masks, too.
Along with politicians, hippy costumes and accessories were going fast.
For kids, Star Wars and Power Ranger costumes are popular, Kushner said.
And for some reason, the favorites for pets include a pimp costume and Dorothy from the "Wizard of Oz."
Nationally, favorite costumes for children are princess, witch, Hannah Montana, Spider-Man, pirates and Star Wars characters, according to the National Retail Federation.
For adults, favorites are witch, pirate, vampire, cat and fairy. Batman and political candidates tied for sixth place, and clown and "wench/tart/vixen" tied for ninth.
And even though economic times are tight, it seems that people still are willing to splurge on inflatable sumo costumes.
More consumers plan to celebrate the holiday this year and they plan to spend more than they last year, according to federation’s Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey.
The impressively named survey predicted the average person will spend $66.54 on the holiday—which leaves us wondering how many bags of bite-sized Snickers Mr. Average Person is buying and where his house is located.
Young adults, specifically 18- to 24-year-olds, plan to spend $86.59 on the holiday.
We hope all that cash will get them something more than a bed sheet with holes in it.
TRICK OR TREAT!
Below are trick or treat hours for local communities. If you want little pumpkins and ghosts to stop at your house, remember to leave on your porch light.
Rock County
City of Beloit: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Beloit Township: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Clinton: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Edgerton: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Evansville: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Footville: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Janesville: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday.
A hayride and candlelit walk depicting scenes from fairy tales and childrens movies will take place in the "Enchanted Forest" from 5:30 to 9 tonight through Saturday night in Palmer Park. This event is co-sponsored by the Thursday Noon Optimist Club and is designed to be non-scary and fun for all children. The cost is $2 for youth and $1 for adults. The Hollywood Hayride is $3 per person.
Also, the Neighborhood Action Team is planning a free movie night for children and families at 6:30 tonight at Wilson Elementary School, 465 Rockport Road, bring a blanket and enjoy "Scooby Doo and the Goblin King." All ages are welcome. Costumes are encouraged. Contact Kelly Lee at (608) 755-3052 with questions.
Milton: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Orfordville: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Walworth County
Darien: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.
City of Delavan: 4 to 6 p.m. Friday. Afterward, children who want to march in the Goblin Walk parade should meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Delavan Post Office, 335 E. Walworth Ave. The parade goes through downtown to the American Legion Hall, 111 S. Second St.
Elkhorn: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Fontana: 3 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Genoa City: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Sharon: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Whitewater: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday. The city is hosting a children’s Halloween party from 6 to 8 p.m. at the downtown armory, 146 W. North St. Cost is 50 cents or one non-perishable food item to be donated to the local food pantry.
Walworth: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Williams Bay: 3:30 to 6 p.m. Friday.
Green County
Albany: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.
Brodhead: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.
Oct 31, 2008 at 4:12 p.m.
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I want to make all of their costumes next year, but I will have to plan it out early and maybe beg plead and grovel with a creative sister in law for some technical assistance. And Our costumes have not been one time wears. They have worn them four times as of tonight and they will keep wearing them for dress up. They love them.
Oct 29, 2008 at 7:53 p.m.
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Did anyone notice the prices in that store??? We went to find a Tinkerbell costume for my two year old (her little friend is going to be Peter Pan) and they wanted $30 for it! I couldn't believe it! $30 for a CHILDRENS costume! They can only wear it once, and if you do have another child that happens to be the same gender they might not want to wear it! I think that store is a rip off! We went to Target and got it for $15! $20 with accessories. Next year I will be making costumes. Although depending on the costume you can spend more.
Oct 29, 2008 at 12:36 p.m.
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I love the idea of either a parade or Halloween party for the children afterward!
Edgerton,that would be great for next year in the old high school gym. Elementary P.T.A that would be an idea as well.LOVE IT!!!
Oct 29, 2008 at 10:17 a.m.
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I found some hilarious costumes online here:
http://www.sortprice.com/halloween.html
Oct 29, 2008 at 9:58 a.m.
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I spent yesterday furiously sewing costumes for two of my daughters. They wanted homemade and the oldest was thrilled with hers and couldn't wait for her school parade today. Since we attend Renaissance fairs her costume isn't just a one-time wear. She can use it over and over again, and then it will get handed down to her two younger sisters. The girls love when I sew for them, and I like the feeling of accomplishment when I can actually make something by hand.
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