Halloween affected
positively in response to terrorism
Firemen
and police costumes more popular than Aladdin
this year
By
Nikki Jefford
Special to the Northern Light
Before
last month's terrorist attacks, Jesse Gallaher
was going to dress up as Aladdin. Now he's
changed his mind.
I'd
probably get my ass kicked, said Gallaher,
a junior history major.
A
little over a month after terrorist attacks,
America faces its first major holiday. But
real-life terror hasn't taken the horror out of
Halloween.
Students
plan on celebrating this year's night of fright
as they normally would. They will go to costume
parties, brave haunted houses and take children
trick-or-treating. When it comes to which
costumes they'd choose, many agree they will be
more sensitive. I'ts expected that no one will
dress up as an Arab or terrorist. Some said they
will be more sensitive to fake bruises and
amputated body parts.
Nate
Williams, a graduate student studying special
education, plans on throwing a costume party with
his wife.
Celebrating
is a necessary form of relief from the stress
we've experienced over this, Williams said.
It could be viewed as part of the grieving
process. We said we weren't going to let the
terrorists win by making us fearful. If we don't
celebrate Halloween because of the attacks, then
we're letting them win.
Boys
still like the scary, gory masks, Party
World owner Polly Curry said. They're
sticking with it.
But
many costumes being sold have a serious side.
Fireman costumes are selling with more
popularity, and Curry says she has seen more
interest than usual in policemen.
Susan
Sparrowgrove, who owns Halloween Express in the
Dimond Center Mall, ordered costumes back in
April and May.
My
Arab costumes aren't moving, Sparrowgrove
said. I haven't sold a single one.
However,
she's had a lot of people come in requesting
Osama Bin Laden masks. Red, white and blue hair
spray has been another very popular item.
There'll
be plenty of celebration happening on campus this
year. UAA's annual Rocky Horror Picture Show will
take place Oct. 26 in the Campus Center Den at 10
p.m. Club Council will be hosting Haunted
Halloween Fun Night on Oct. 27 in the Campus
Center from 5 p.m. to midnight. It will be a
carnival with candy and traditional games, a
cakewalk and pin the tail on the donkey.
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