All over campus, students are transforming into ghouls and beasts and their homes are being overwhelmed by spirits.
It seems that in Ann Arbor, anything goes when it comes to costume ideas, according to students and local Halloween-related businesses.
"This year there isn't as clear a popular item as in the past," said Monica Ladd, owner of Fantasy Attic Costumes on Main Street. However, she added, some trends stand out.
"We have rented a lot of armor-related items (for men)," Ladd said. "All our knights and Roman gladiators are out. Ladies go for the saucy and romantically pretty."
But there are plenty of exceptions to these rules.
"We have all kinds of costumes that are kind of bizarre - pumpkins, aliens," Ladd said. "Some of them I never thought I'd rent, I rented this year."
Fantasy Attic also sells costumes and accessories.
For frightful fun, students can also travel to the Briarwood Mall. Spencer Gifts, a seasonal store, offers Halloween-related items.
"We sell tons of masks and a lot of the funnier costumes," said Jason Kennedy, Spencer's store manager. Kennedy said that this year, sales are up, and that the more outrageous costumes are popular among mainly college-aged customers.
"We have one that's a blow-up old lady - you're the baby riding on her back - the rest is inflatable," Kennedy said. "We sold all those."
For those who are more interested in creating their own costume, another option is Middle Earth on South University Avenue, which sells accessories such as "face paint, clown noses, some types of masks (and) party decorative things," said Cynthia Shevel, owner of Middle Earth.
"We don't really get into full costumes," Shevel said. She said that this year, as in the past, masks have sold well.
"We sell a lot of political masks like (President) Clinton," Shevel said. "(Former President) Nixon has always been popular."
Although time is running short before Halloween, many students still have to find a costume.
Michelle Milstein, LSA sophomore, said she hasn't decided on a costume but is determined to find one.
"I'm definitely going to go as something," Milstein said. "It's Halloween."
"I don't know what (I'm wearing) yet," said Engineering sophomore Bill Reeves. "I'll probably throw something together.
"I've got a cape. I'll probably use that as a focal point," Reeves said.
Kinesiology junior Heather Kabnick said she has already found her costume for this year.
"I'm dressing up as Robin from Batman and Robin," Kabnick said. "I've seen some other costumes that were pretty funny, but I couldn't tell what they were."
But not everyone is going to be celebrating the holiday.
"I can't go to any parties because I have to work," said Mike Wigent, an LSA sophomore. But Wigent said his interest in the holiday has declined with age.
"I'm not into Halloween too much," Wigent said. "I always was when I was little, but I guess I grew out of it."
Rachel Cascos, an Engineering first-year student, also thinks that times have changed.
"I just don't have time to think about it," Cascos said. "As a kid, you had the whole trick-or-treating thing, which was cool. As you get older, it loses something."
Although most students don't go trick-or-treating, they can still have lots of fun, Kabnick said.
"I think Halloween kind of dies out in high school, but now in college, people have a lot of fun with it," Kabnick said. "(Dressing up is) fun. It makes it a fun holiday".
Local store owners say Halloween is here to stay.
"Ann Arbor is a great town for Halloween. Students really get into costumes and parties," Shevel said.
Russ Van Ness, a clerk at Halloween USA at Arborland Mall, agrees. "It's amazing. (We sell) just huge amounts of costumes," Van Ness said.
"It's far from dead," Shevel said.
Kennedy also doesn't think Halloween is losing its popularity.
"No - we've gotten tons of business. I don't think (Halloween is in decline), not with the business we're getting," Kennedy said.
According to Van Ness, the holiday's popularity depends on people's perceptions.
"A lot of times, people just think of Halloween as a time for kids to dress up," Van Ness said. "It's totally false - it ain't just for kids anymore."
JONATHAN SUMMER/Daily
Carrie Lignell (right) and Tara Belden consider dressing up as the "Duracell people" for Halloween while browsing through Fantasy Attic Costumes yesterday.
JONATHAN SUMMER/Daily
Veronica Arriola (left) watches as Nicole Lupke tries on a costume at Fantasy Attic Costumes yesterday.