Halloween weekend at Penn State is usually many things: hectic, colorful, exciting and frenzied.

Add the splash of a football weekend as well, and things will certainly be kicked up a notch or two.

But after buying candy, and before waking up Sunday morning with costume makeup all over pillows and pajamas, there is that weekend space to fill with combinations of football, parties, costumes and celebration of Halloween, victory or otherwise.

Too overwhelming? Read on.

For most Halloween celebrations, the first question on most students' minds is usually, "What will I be?"

Gary Filkins, owner of Rude Boyz, 200 W. College Ave, and Steve Artz, owner of Gift Adventures, 137 E. Beaver Ave., collaborate each year to bring students a variety of Halloween costumes in both locations.

"We have a lot more rentals and bigger costumes down at Rude Boyz," he said. "And it's easier to have costumes in both locations. It makes it easier to handle all the last minute shoppers."

Filkins also said this year, as in most years, the movies have inspired the popularity of costumes.

"When Star Wars came out, everyone wanted those costumes," Filkins said. "When Pulp Fiction was popular, everyone wanted Uma Thurman wigs, the same with Austin Powers and so on."

This year's number one blockbuster inspiration is Pirates of the Caribbean, followed by Freddy v. Jason and The Matrix.

"Pirates of the Caribbean was not critically acclaimed, it was not that well received, but it must have struck a note with students because we have been selling pirate costumes like crazy," Filkins said.

Other popular costumes this year include Elvis, or for the costumed couple, Filkins said the "pimps and hoes" theme is a very popular one.

Filkins also said accessories are very popular, with wigs and feather boas being the most popular sale.

Metro, 324 E. College Ave., also offers a variety of accessories to help enhance or create costumes.

"People are buying a lot of accessories this year," Jennifer Young, sales associate for Metro, said. "Glamour is big this year, and glitter, fake eyelashes and colored wigs have been very popular."

And for those with a slim costume budget, don't fret.

"As far as costumes and costume accessories go this year, people have been really creative," Young said. "Most people are just using clothes they already have and creating costumes from them."

But she said the traditional devils and angels are not a popular sale this year. Although classic and simple, save the horns and halos for next year.

Artz offered a different approach to winged costumes.

"Each year a spectacular array of winged costumes come out," Artz said. "This year, we have a great selection of butterflies, as well as bees and ladybugs."

Gift Adventures costume shop is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. everyday, up until and including Halloween.