It's officially over. The sun, the heat, and the shorts are pretty much a thing of the past, at least for 2014. In the future are short days, ski trips, and snowstorms.
But for this transitional month, take a moment between the falling leaves and think of the most bloodcurdling, bizarre, and beastly things that your sun-dried brain can muster. All hallows' eve is on its way.
The ancient pagan harvest festival that morphed into a kiddie holiday is now the domain of the 21-and-over crowd. Which means you can do basically whatever you want and be whatever you choose for at least one night.
Always wanted to be a drunken cowboy? Go for it. How about a clown hopped up on 'shrooms? I'm not stopping you. A gorilla walking a Great Dane down the street? Don't -- I'm gonna be that guy (see below).
But that's just scraping the surface, of course. You can be anything this time around. You can be a werekangaroo, or a wereturtle, or a wereworm. You can be the guy with different kinds of shampoo on either side of his scalp and only one is tingling. You can be an armchair that loves to dance.
But you need places to outfit yourself and places to go and be seen. Here are a few ideas from Colorado makers and places.
But for this transitional month, take a moment between the falling leaves and think of the most bloodcurdling, bizarre, and beastly things that your sun-dried brain can muster. All hallows' eve is on its way.
The ancient pagan harvest festival that morphed into a kiddie holiday is now the domain of the 21-and-over crowd. Which means you can do basically whatever you want and be whatever you choose for at least one night.
Always wanted to be a drunken cowboy? Go for it. How about a clown hopped up on 'shrooms? I'm not stopping you. A gorilla walking a Great Dane down the street? Don't -- I'm gonna be that guy (see below).
But that's just scraping the surface, of course. You can be anything this time around. You can be a werekangaroo, or a wereturtle, or a wereworm. You can be the guy with different kinds of shampoo on either side of his scalp and only one is tingling. You can be an armchair that loves to dance.
But you need places to outfit yourself and places to go and be seen. Here are a few ideas from Colorado makers and places.
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WHAT TO WEAR
Distortions Unlimited
After getting started in the mask business, Ed and Marsha Edmunds now also make horrifying animatronics and props for haunted houses in Greeley and now they've launched The Monster of the Month club. If you are in need of a demented jack-in-the-box or a plutonium puker robot, look no further, but they also make masks like the pictured licensed latex likeness of The Enigma (pictured). Read my story on them here or visit the Distortions Unlimited website to order. 
Frank Coffman's Gorilla Suits
If you're looking for a custom gorilla suit, look no further. For the bargain price of about $300, I got Frank to tailor one for me three years back and now I never have to scramble for a Halloween costume at the last minute. It's a work of art. Frank also makes custom Bigfoot suits for the cryptozoologically inclined. I profiled him for the Sept./Oct.2014 issue of Colorado Life. Order one here. 
Hyperflesh
Landon Meier's masks are unbelievably realistic. If you want to look like a grown-up with a baby face, or Ron Jeremy, or Walter White, or Stephen Colbert, look him up. Read my profile of Landon here or order a mask from the Hyperflesh website. |
WHERE TO GO
The 13th Floor
The gore-encrusted crown jewel of Denver haunted houses, the 13th Floor is a cut above -- make that a chainsaw wound above. The company behind the place, Screamworks Entertainment, takes scaring very, very seriously, and also operates Asylum. Read my story on Screamworks here or visit their website. 
The Purge at The Curtis
Fans of the post-apocalyptic slasher flick, The Purge, should head to The Curtis on Oct. 31. Not only is it the only hotel with a horror movie-themed floor, but the annual Nightmare on Curtis Street package gets you a room, masks, weapons, and brunch for $199. 
Stories on Stage: Zombies 'R' Us
On Oct. 24, take in a night of zombie stories, zombie haiku, and zombie more at the Mercury Cafe from local actors, including Buntport Theater Company's Erin Rollman. Buy tickets here. 
Cornfield Mazes
Head to Thornton to get lost in either the family-friendly Crazed Maze or the decidedly more horrific Haunted Field of Screams. These are no mere maize labyrinths (pun intended) -- there are haunted houses, zombie-themed paintball wars, and a corn kernel sandbox -- minus the sand. |