Joker, Batman expected to be top costumes this year

Chances are good that when you open your door in a couple of weeks to trick-or-treaters, you'll be treated several times during the evening to that master trickster, the Joker.

He (or she) may be joined by the caped crusader who spends time trying to bring the Joker down, Batman.

Batman and the Joker are predicted to be among the top costumes for 2008, according to the www.costumezee.com Web site. The site "is a community of people sharing costumes ideas and photos."

Those two costumes are tops from movies for this year, according to the Web site. And midweek, Joker items were among the top sellers.

At Jo-Ann's Fabrics and Crafts in Geneva, people can purchase ready-to-wear costumes or buy a pattern and fabric and make your own.

What's popular for children? "Witches, pirates and princesses," said Lorraine Schuchart, manager for public relations and special events for the stores. The store's officials have identified those three trends and stores have everything to create those costumes, whether a buyer picks it up off the rack up or is going to create her own vision.

"Not-so-scary monsters, wizards and superheroes are also popular costumes for kids and are relatively easy to make," Schuchart said.

The store has plenty of Halloween fabrics in stock as well, such as orange and black, or purple with a silver spider web print. Jo-Ann's has "ghoul cloth" new this year. That's a gauzy mesh, with a distressed look, in several colors. "It's great for mummies, ghosts, etc., and also for decorating windows and tabletops," Schuchart said.

Political masks are also big sellers in this election year, Schuchart said.

And don't forget our four-legged friends. "Pet costumes are also important, and there are many patterns and fun fabrics available to include our animal friends in the celebration," she said.

The Halloween Spirit store, set up for the season in the former furniture store on Randall Road in Batavia, had plenty of costumes on hand for pets. Think Princess Pooch, a Superman cape, even a velvet smoking jacket to turn your dog into Hugh Hefner.

Humans aren't forgotten, naturally. There are props and costumes galore, from Harlequin masks to Toto's basket, superheroes to dastardly villains or creepy monsters. Don't forget couples costumes, such as bacon and eggs and salt and pepper. The store even has an entire section devoted to turning your favorite preteen into Hannah Montana.

This year presents a dilemma for high school football fans. Halloween is on a Friday this year. (My two college-aged daughters are delighted. Home for the weekend recently, both raided the old dress-up bins in the attic and emerged triumphant with some possibilities.)

But here in Geneva, football fans will be conflicted, as Halloween festivities will conflict with the first weekend of high school playoff action. As I write this, Geneva is undefeated, so nearly certainly will be playing that night. What to do, what to do? (I have girls. I know what they'd do.)

Beyond figuring out the football angle, a Halloween on a Friday means lots of adults will probably be looking for ways to transform themselves into someone else.

I keep thinking that Sarah Palin will be found everywhere this Halloween. Come on! This is easy! Throw your hair up (assuming it's long enough; wear a wig if it's not), get some Sarah-like glasses and bring along a lipstick. You could probably carry a stuffed moose or a shotgun - or maybe a hockey stick for the self-described hockey mom - for good measure.

Whether you're searching for lipstick and hockey gear, or the extras to turn your little princess into the real deal for the night, it's time to get busy. You have 19 days ...