Published: October 28, 2009 07:24 pm      

Scary good time

Costumed characters hoping to fill their bags with sweets and treats will have plenty of opportunities to say “Trick Or Treat!” as the Halloween season hits high gear this week.

On the Kentucky side of the Ohio River trick or treat time in Ashland will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today, along with activities at Central Park. In rural Boyd County communities parents are asked to accompany their kids to homes and participating businesses between 6 and 8 p.m. this evening.

The city of Catlettsburg has also designated trick or treat time between 6 and 8 p.m. today.

In Louisa, trick or treat time will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Kids in Greenup are also advised to do their Halloween haunting from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. The city of Russell, Raceland and Flatwoodes will also observe trick or treat from 6 to 8 p.m.

In West Virginia, trick or treat will be observed in Ceredo from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, with the same time frame approved in neighboring Kenova.

On the Ohio side of the river, the cities of Chesapeake, Ironton and Hanging Rock asks trick or treaters to make their visits between 6 and 8 tonight.

Employees at the Magic makers shop in Ashland Town Center said classic characters from horror films, including Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers were again in high demand, along with late pop star Michael Jackson.

“We’ve probably sold more Michael Jackson than Freddy Krueger,” said employee Josh Cox, whose coworkers nodded in agreement.

For younger customers witches, monsters and comic book super heroes were also in demand for the 2009 Halloween season, while adult shoppers had their choice of sexy outfits with plunging necklines and fishnet stockings accenting an array of outfits from an Arabian Dancer to a Heavenly Angel. Men’s costumes included a referee’s uniform, doctor’s outfits, warriors, gladiators and Robin Hood styles.

Masks depicting politicians weren’t nearly as popular as they were during the election season, although Cox said several people had purchased Obama masks “just to be funny.”

Cox said a surprising number of people have asked for costumes depicting Nintendo video game icons Mario and Luigi, although those looks were among the few not available at the shop.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.