Halloween is upon us, and like many people, you may be panicking and trying to put together a last-minute Halloween costume. Lucky for you, Council Bluffs’ culture and history are rich with simple and quick ideas for your costume this year.
Black Squirrel
Items needed:
- Black cat ears
- Fuzzy black scarf, black feather boa, or a black Halloween costume tail
- Black clothing
- Black eyeliner
While everyone else is dressed up as rabbits, cats, mice, and deer, dare to be different by showing up to your costume party as one of Council Bluffs’ plentiful black squirrels. Put on a pair of black cat ears, use black eyeliner to draw on a nose and whiskers, and find something you can use for your fluffy tail. Pair with an all-black outfit and you’re ready to go!
Instagramable photo spot: Bayliss Park
Lewis & Clark
Lewis & Clark at Three Forks by artist Edgar Samuel Paxson
Items needed:
- A second person
- Fur skin or pirate hat (without the skull and crossbones)
- Brown jackets
- Brown boots
- Spyglass
This costume works best if you have a friend in a similar costume-less predicament. If you have a fur hat or pirate hat from past Halloweens, this is the time to get it out. Wear a rugged looking brown jacket—bonus if it’s an old jacket you can cut fringe into—and brown boots. If you need an accessory, run to your local costume store for a prop spyglass.
Instagramable photo spot: Lewis & Clark Monument Scenic Overlook
Railroad Worker
Items needed:
- White or light-colored button-down shirt
- Overalls or black/tan pants
- Some type of hat
- Tools
- Trenchcoat
Since Council Bluffs is mile zero of the transcontinental railroad, celebrate those who built it by dressing up as a hardworking railroad worker. This costume is great for those looking to make a costume out of items they already own.
Instagramable photo spot: Union Pacific Railroad Museum or RailsWest Railroad Museum
Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial/the “Black Angel”
Items needed:
- Draped dress in gray coloring
- Gray angel wings (you can spray-paint white wings)
- Gray or spray-painted gray bowl
- Floral crown (you will want to spray-paint this gray, too)
This slightly creepy costume will involve a few crafty tweaks if you must spray-paint any of the items. Bonus if you use gray makeup on your face and arms to complete the look.
Instagramable photo spot: Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial
Iowa Western Reivers Mascot
Items needed:
- Eyepatch
- Pirate hat
- Fake mustache
- Earrings
- Blue bandana
- White button-down shirt
- Black vest or jacket
- Black boots
- Blue or black pants
Show off your Reivers spirit by becoming the mascot himself! This costume is the most accessory heavy one on the list, but if you’ve been a pirate in Halloween pasts, you probably have many of these items already buried in the back of your closet.
Instagramable photo spot: Lake Manawa or Pirate Putt
If you put together a costume using any of these ideas, we’d love to feature it on social media! You can email a photo of your costume to [email protected] or tag your photo with #UNleashCB on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Happy Halloween!
