Halloween is almost upon us, and now’s the time to think scary thoughts. Like, what will you wear for trick-or-treating, if that’s in your plans, or what or who will you go as to that wild party in Parksville? Maybe you should buy multiple bags of sugar-bomb candy or go healthy with little boxes of raisins and crispy apples?

Manor Ink took to Main Street last week to find out what a local citizens have in mind for Halloween, and their answers were a shroud’s worth of spine chilling fun. Read on!

Noelle Block and Scarlet

Halloween plans: Noelle planned to dress as a witch again, or possibly a vampire, using a costume she already has. She hopes to collect 300 pieces of candy.
Favorite past costume: Noelle: Hermione from Harry Potter.
Dream costume: A movie or book character, perhaps from Warriors or Wings of Fire.
Additional context: The pair said they are from Sleepy Hollow, NY, a place well known for Halloween tourism.

Jonathan and Theo Purtle

Favorite scary movie: Jonathan said he does not really like scary movies.
Halloween plans: Jonathan had not decided what to wear and might use an inflatable Pikachu costume.
Favorite past costume: Jonathan: an old shark costume wrapped with lights; in another year he wrapped himself entirely in yarn.

Hazel and Ally

Favorite scary movie: Hazel: “The Shining,” “Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Coraline.” Ally: “Coraline.”
Halloween plans: Hazel was considering Sue Sylvester from “Glee.
Ally recalled dressing as Wednesday Addams and as James Bond in previous years.
Favorite past costume: Hazel: a peacock costume made with feathers glued to a leotard and feather makeup. Ally: Jigsaw from the “Saw” movies, with makeup and fake blood.
Additional context: Hazel and Ally said they are from Brooklyn.

Christin Hickey and Kate Hanson

Favorite scary movie: Christin: “Nightmare on Elm Street.” Kate: “Scream.”
Halloween plans: They were considering wearing couples costumes based on the live-action movie “Scooby-Doo,” with Kate as Mary Jane and Christin as Shaggy.
Favorite past costume: Christin: a werewolf mask with a Grim Reaper outfit, which won a scariest-costume contest. Kate: as Britney Spears in an “Oops! I Did It Again” costume.
Dream costume: Christin: a Viking. Kate: Marie Antoinette, “but an expensive version of it.”

Sameer and Seif

Favorite scary movie: No favorite was identified; the boys said scary movies were not really their thing.
Halloween plans: They had not chosen costumes yet, but they do expect to get dressed up.
Favorite past costume: Seif: the “Scream” costume. Sameer also said “Scream” was a favorite.

And now, the survey results

The responses point to a playful, imaginative Halloween culture rather than a single dominant trend. Costumes drew heavily on familiar pop culture, favorite characters, and creative DIY touches.

Costumes are personal and varied. All five interview groups described different ideas or favorite costumes – from witches, vampires and Hermione to Scooby-Doo characters, peacocks, Pikachu,and Viking or Marie Antoinette fantasies.

Pop culture is a strong source of inspiration. References included “Scream,” “Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Scooby-Doo,” Harry Potter, Warriors, Wings of Fire, “Glee,” Wednesday Addams, James Bond, “Saw” and “Coraline.”

Favorite costumes tend to tell a story. Memorable examples included winning a scary-costume contest, creating a peacock outfit by hand, adding lights to a shark costume, and dressing as a favorite book character.

Scary movies are optional. Some participants named favorites such as “The Shining,” “Scream” and “Nightmare on Elm Street,” while others said horror films were not really for them.

Practicality matters for children. Noelle’s response showed that time and already-owned costumes can shape a child’s Halloween plans – while still leaving room for big candy-collection goals.

Halloween doings

Trick-or-Treating: Saturday, Oct. 31; 4:30-5:30 p.m. Stewart Ave., Roscoe. villageofroscoe.com
Trunk or Treat: Friday, Oct. 30; 5:30-7 p.m.; 19 School St., Livingston Manor; a party with music, games and candy, hosted by the Rockland PTA. 845-701-7477
Peace, Love & Pumpkins: Friday, Saturday, Oct. 30, 31; 6:30-10 p.m.; Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, 200 Hurd Rd., Bethel; featuring Friday Night Fright, a haunted walk-through, and Saturday, a Halloween Trick-or-Treat event. bethelwoodscenter.org
Haunted Afternoons: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Roscoe O&W Railway Museum, 7 Railroad Ave., Roscoe; spooky fun, Halloween displays, family-friendly activities and a little railroad history. nyow.org/museum.html
Annual Halloween Party: Sunday, Oct. 25; 1-3 p.m.; Kaatskeller, 39 Main St., Livingston Manor; hosted by the Livingston Manor-Roscoe Library. lmr-library.org
The Decrepit Ghouls Variety Show: Friday, Oct. 23 through Sunday, Oct. 25; 5:30 p.m.; New Memories, 862 Parksville Rd., Parksville; a funhouse, concert and comedic mayhem. decrepitghouls.com
Haunted Candyland: Friday, Saturday, Oct. 30, 31; 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Western Sullivan Public Library, 19 Center St., Jeffersonville; Halloween games and crafts. wsplonline.org