Halloween 2012: Zombies Are Always Popular, Big Bird’s Trending and Super Heroes Never Get Old

Halloween is creeping upon us. And if you’re like a lot of other Americans who want to be the low-life of the party this Halloween, you’re going to dress like a zombie.

For serious zombie afficionados – the folks for whom accessories like bloody eyeballs, tattered clothing that looks moldy from the grave, theatrical grade makeup to create gruesome cuts, rotting skin, oozing sores and disheveled hair are an investment – The Theatrical Shop is the place to be for the undead, said Veronica Dietrick, the store’s retail manager.

The Theatrical Shop’s big “monster bash sale” is Saturday, with a chance for those serious zombies and other Halloween revelers to have their pictures taken with Frankenstein (bring your own camera or cell phone). As added incentive, $25 gift certificates will be given away hourly.

Big Bird’s Buddies Are Still Available

Big Bird’s trending both on Twitter and in Halloween costume shops after Mitt Romney said in the first presidential debate that he would end subsidies to PBS, where legions of young people learned to love education, and President Obama started making political hay over it.

But if that’s your choice for a costume – always popular, Dietrick said, but more so this year – you’re too late.

“We sold them like crazy last week,” Dietrick said.

Big Bird is usually popular, but more so this year. But costumes of Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch and  Romney would exile are in stock.

Super heroes never get old.

In her 12 years at the Theatrical Shop, Batman has been a perennial favorite, along with other super heroes, like Superman, Catwoman, Spiderman and the Avengers – Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and the rest of the gang.

“For kids, more often than not, especially young boys, Spiderman, Batman, Superman and Captain America are the ones they are caught

Young girls, especially, are more interested in feminine costumes than avenging evil-doers. Princess costumes are especially popular.

Halloween Glitter

“A lot of times, they like anything that’s pretty and sparkly,” Dietrick said.

Adut women like sparkles too, as well as female super heroes like Cat Woman and female variations of zombies.

“In addition to that, they’re buying everything from sexy police officers, 1920s flappers and famous people,” Dietrick said. “People like to be recognizable.”

Because not everyone wants to look the same on Halloween, accessories can make it unique.

“Any time you guy a costume, accessories are on your own,” Dietrick said. “A certain flapper dress will be unique compared to everyone else. Unique add-ons are something we excel at.”

Wigs are big, too. The Theatrical Shop has them in hot pink, fluorescent green, cobalt blue and all the colors you’d expect to find on a real human head. Dietrick said the store features high-end wigs, but also some that are moderately priced to ensure that everyone can have a hair-raising experience on Halloween.

The Theatrical Shop rents costumes, but also has several for sale. A mainstay in Valley Junction since 1969, the store draws customers from across Iowa.

Until Halloween, the store in Historic Valley Junction also has extended hours beginning Saturday. Mondays  through Fridays, the store will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 5:30 p.m.