Last-minute Halloween costume ideas and festive Front Range parties

Oct. 27—Halloween is almost here and, given that last year's celebration was pretty much heavily restricted due to the pandemic, this weekend folks have total permission to go all out while still practicing COVID-19 safety protocols and social distancing.

Monster mash, eat your weight in mini Twix, but avoid bobbing for apples — this activity just isn't built for a post-COVID world. I mean, was it ever really appropriate?

I'm probably celebrating by wearing two costumes. One will be the microdosing cult-like leader Masha from Hulu's "Nine Perfect Strangers." The other will be the more obscure, yellow-sweatered Alanis Morissette from her music video for "Ironic." You remember the one where four versions of her are traveling — in a 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V — on some snowy highway.

And isn't it ironic... don't you think

I realize this reference is 25 years old and I'm more than prepared for people to not get it. Truth be told, I sort of just want an excuse to wear my hair in multiple braids and act slightly off-kilter.

Don't know what you will be dressing up as? We've compiled these last-minute costume ideas that you can most likely construct from stuff already in your closet or your pantry. There's also a smaller list of parties happening this weekend, that didn't make it into last week's big Halloween roundup.

Avoid a sugar coma, stay healthy out there and get your fright on responsibly.

Last-minute costumes

Zombie Boulderite: There's a lot of directions you can go with this one. Don some Patagonia, a bike helmet or yoga pants and then just plaster on the creepy makeup.

Gluten: For some, there is nothing more scary than a wheat product. Put on a black hoodie and tape a sign "I am gluten" onto your torso. If you want to kick it up a notch, you could pin bread products onto your ensemble. Walk around with an ominous look and maybe hold a fake knife.

Weed: Cannabis is synonymous with our region, so why not go as the legalized herb enjoyed by everyone from college coeds to CEOs? Find every green article of clothing in your closet and if you feel like putting in a little extra effort, get a name tag and write "Mary Jane," "Indica" or "Sativa."

Bernie Sanders in mittens: We all remember that time, back in January, when the photo of Sanders at Biden's inauguration went viral and birthed a gazillion memes. You'll need a puffy coat, a medical face mask, knit mittens, glasses —the truly committed can carry around a lightweight chair to sit on cross-legged and look unamused.

Farmer: Throw on some jeans or overalls, a flannel and muddy your hands a bit. Carry around some produce for added authenticity — a bounty of root vegetables is sure to bring the ensemble up a notch. Even better if you have a straw hat and can fish a rake out of the garage to complete the earthy look. A "USDA Organic" sticker or two could be a nice touch.

Librarian: Have a sweater, a plaid skirt, some glasses and a few books you can tote around? Putting together this look is way simpler than the Dewey Decimal System.

Smarty pants: This is probably the most cost-effective and easy-to-assemble costume of the lot. Select what pants you want to wear and attach rolls of Smarties to them. Carry around a book for some added flair.

Men In Black: Have a classic black suit in your closet? Put it on with some dark shades and, boom, instant costume. Nearly everyone will get this film reference.

Where's Waldo: All you need is a red-and-white striped shirt, jeans and a beanie to pay homage to this elusive storybook character.

Formal Apology: As a former English major, I love this wordplay concept. Grab a fancy dress or a tux and wear a sash with the words "Apology" on it.

Freudian Slip: Adorn a slip dress with words like "Oedipal" "Id" and "Ego" — or print out a picture of Freud and attach his image to your frock.

If still looking for Halloween gear, a trip to The Ritz in Boulder and Party City in Longmont should do the trick.

Weekend parties

Boulder

SpookyGrass Haunted House at Gold Hill Inn: Evil spirits have descended upon a Colorado bluegrass festival, stopping the music and creating a nightmare of carnage. Are you brave enough to tour the festival grounds that are crawling with possessed creatures, some yielding chainsaws? 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Gold Hill Inn, 401 Main St., Boulder, $10; spookygrass.com.

Nederland

MASKuerade Ball with Banshee Tree: The name of this Boulder-based group says it all. If you seek a night of macabre merriment, this talented crew certainly will deliver. Dance with abandon, enter a costume contest and enjoy a showing of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at 7 p.m., prior to the gig. Liver Down the River will also play and Caribou Kitchen is open for dining during show nights; doors at 7 p.m. Saturday; The Caribou Room, 55 Indian Peaks Drive, Nederland, $17-20; thecaribouroom.com/calendar.

Lafayette

Card Catalog and Radioactive Babushka: Rock out at this Halloween show in an intimate venue perfect for spooky season. There is also an option to catch the livestream; 7 p.m. Friday; The End Lafayette at Dog House Music Studios, 525 Courtney Way, Lafayette; Free, suggested $15 donation; bit.ly/3jEsUFD

Halloween at WOW: Kids can collect non-candy treats, play ghoulish games, do ghostly crafts and much more; 5:30 p.m. Friday; WOW! Children's Museum, 110 N. Harrison Ave., Lafayette; $11 per child, $7 per member child and $6 per adult; wowchildrensmuseum.org.

Lyons

Rave to the Grave: Out of This World Galactic Dance Party: Join this ultimate costume party whose live soundtrack will be provided by Arthur Lee Land and improvisational power trio, gogolab; 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Lavern M. Johnson Park, 600 Park Drive, Lyons; free, a $20 suggested donation will go to LEAF- Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund; bit.ly/3Cm3aFf

Loveland

Loveland Orchestra's Halloween Concert: Highlighting the concert will be the performance by Concertmaster Shawn Murphy of Vivaldi's Concerto No. 3 in F major, "Autumn," from the composer's Four Seasons. The program also includes "The Water Goblin," by Dvořák, "Ride of the Valkyries," from "Die Walküre," by Wagner, "Night on Bald Mountain," by Mussorgsky, "Funeral March for a Marionette," by Gounod and "Sorcerer's Apprentice," by Dukas; 7:30 p.m., discussion of music starts at 7 p.m., Friday; Mountain View High School auditorium, 3500 Mountain Lion Drive, Loveland; lovelandorchestra.org.

Longmont

Beats and Treats Halloween Party: Celebrate Halloween night with live music courtesy of DJ Drake, enter a costume contest, sip on spooky cocktails and eat frightfully delicious, toasted subs; 8 p.m. Sunday; Cheba Hut, 635 Main St., Longmont; facebook.com/events/459904352139128.

Tenbucksixer: Enjoy the music from this Longmont-based band who always delivers groovy rock. There's also a scheduled costume contest; 4 p.m. Friday, Left Hand Beer Garden; 1245 Boston Ave., Longmont; lefthandbrewing.com.

Movie Night in the Garden: 'Beetlejuice': Watch this 1988 classic with family and friends; 7 p.m. Saturday; Left Hand Beer Garden; 1245 Boston Ave., Longmont; Tickets are first come, first serve at the door the day of the event. Tickets for adults 21 and older are $10, with the first beer is included, kids over age 12 are $5 and kids under age 12 are free; lefthandbrewing.com.