The Halloween prop and costume store Custom Costumes opened on September 3rd, 2010 for the season. Located at #103, 2920 Calgary Trail, Edmonton, Alberta, 4 blocks South of last year’s location - and right near the Outback Steakhouse on Calgary Trail. Don’t be fooled, with other seasonal stores in the area, Custom Costumes is a local business and are trying to decrease their impact on the environment this year - so spread the word to your friends and family because they are not sending out flyers!

Over a dozen people were waiting at the door at 5:00 PM in anticipation of it opening, and were slightly frustrated when they had trouble opening the locks - the longest 15 seconds of our lives!

The new store is larger than last year, and as usual, there is a whole new line of props (the majority of the old ones get sold off at the end of every season - they are not stored until the following year). With a large costume, mask and prosthetic selection as well, they have everything for Halloween in the Edmonton area.

The costume wall, plus many stands, have any costume that you’d want, at a large variety of price ranges. The staff manning the fitting rooms can help you find your scary, sexy or authentic costumes and you can try them on in the fitting rooms. They also have complete Batman, Master Chief, Gorilla and a complete members of Kiss costumes, including hi-rise platform boots!

The mask wall has an unparalleled selection of masks including many high quality ones including several from  Don Post studios!  The usuals ones like Freddy Krueger, Jason Vorhees, Michael Myers and Chucky are joined by a massive Predator mask, zombies, pumpkins, scarecrows, and several different horror, funny or cute themes. In addition, a large selection of prosthetics, liquid latex, vampire teeth, werewolf claws, fake nails and various types of makeup allows you to transform yourself into anything you can think of.

Expanded this year are the CDs with both music and sound effects. Whether you require sound effects or movie soundtracks, or the latest soundtracks by groups such as Midnight Syndicate or Van Helsing’s Curse, there are several titles that are bound to go quickly - so get yourselves to their store on Calgary Trail, right near the Outback Steakhouse!

My favourite part of the store are the props. I sped a lot of time coveting the  large variety of unique props - there is something new every year. I was impressed by the large cockroaches made out of latex rubber that are new. If you are into the Martha Stewart style of decoration with fruit, flowers and sparkles, you won’t find it here. These quality props and several types of animatronics and pneumatic (air-powered) props can turn your home into one of dEdmonton’s Most Haunted!

By the time I left on Friday evening the store was getting busy with haunters and those looking for costumes! The staff were busy at the tills, answering questions, helping people through their costume choices and manning the change rooms. I was quite happy to see many of the people I know including those from the Edmonton Bonewagon Association (the local Hearse club), a Miss dEdmonton contestant from last year (hurry, this year’s qualifying closes September 30th), and members of the River City Zombie Committee (who not only have their Zombie Clown Parade on October 8th, but are wicked home haunters themselves), plus met several new folks and re-introduced them to dEdmonton -they’d all heard of us before but now know even more!

Here are some of the other pictures that that I snapped that night. Remember, live green (like a zombie!), buy local, and visit Custom Costumes right near the Outback Steakhouse on Calgary Trail. And tell them dEdmonton sent you!

Once again several of events that we know about have contacted us saying they need volunteers. Some of these events are looking for actors, others for security, ticket takers, or just help with setup.

Below are the events that we have been informed of, what kind of volunteers they are looking for, dates, contact info or webpage, and any charities that their event supports.

If you are a Halloween event in the dEdmonton region that needs volunteers, let us know.

The Scarecrow Festival
October 15, 16, 17, 2010
Their website: www.scarecrowfestival.org
Looking for: Volunteers to help set up, make props, ticket takers, and much more for this family fun event.
Their Facebook Page
In support of: ABC Head Start

The Haunted Hike
Dates: October 1,2,8,9,15,16,22,23
Looking for: actors sorry, all full at this time
In support of Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation

The Sands Tour of Terror: Goes to the Movies
Dates: October 29, 20, 2010
Looking for: actors, setup, props for this 14+ attraction
In support of Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation
Contact Tina at the Sands Hotel or visit their Facebook group

Bloody the Clown’s Prom Night
Dates: October 22, 23, 29, 30, 2010
Looking for: actors, setup, props for this very scary attraction!
Their Facebook Casting Call

Fort Edmonton Park’s Spooktacular
October 29, 30, 2010
Looking for actors, security, ticket takers, plus working with children in less scary areas. Must be 13+ years, 16+ for some areas/positions.
Their Volunteer Information

The Norwood Haunted House
Dates: TBA
Looking for scarers for their yard haunt.
Contact NorwoodHH on Twitter or email us here at info@dedmonton.com

The summer season continues in spooky Old Strathcona until September 2nd:

www.edmontonghosttours.com
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights
Time: 9:30pm
10322 - 83rd Ave in Old Strathcona
$10 per soul or $30 per Family (2 adults and up to 2 kids under 13 yrs old)

Our friends from DEDfest are at it again:

All the details at DEDfest.com and DEDfest on Campus on Facebook.