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We were greeted at the Downtown Grill & Brewery by a very festive staff of Wild West saloon workers and cowboys. Next, we joined a very merry crowd at Barley’s, where Same

as It Ever Was kept the revelers happy with their amazing Talking Heads’ covers and a special set of Beck’s music. There we ran into a beautiful swan, also known as Christa DeCicco. Scooby Doo and the Crocodile Hunter (with a nasty sting ray puncture wound) were also in attendance. We encouraged them all to vote, even the dead ones.

We First Ladies were not able to wait in the long, snaking line to the “Freakers’ Ball” at Blue Cat’s, but we glad-handed the crowd which included Hunter S. Thompson. Next, our junket took us through the streets of the Old City, where we saw a gang from a Clockwork Orange, a gang of Mafioso, and a Little House on the Prairie couple. (Don’t tell anyone, but underneath one of the bonnets, I saw quite a bit of facial hair. Also an ample amount of back hair was peeking at the top of her smock. I think maybe Pa had been into the shine again.)

Thank goodness the mood on Market Square wasn’t as terrifying. At Preservation Pub, we were greeted by a flurry of bubbles and Baby New Year (ok, his diaper was scary), Cupid, the Easter bunny, a firecracker and Santa Clause. On the dance floor, boogying to the danceable grooves of Phil Pollard and his Band of Humans was Gilligan, Mary Ann and

Ginger. Sitting in on drums with the Band of Humans was beauty pageant winner Miss Oak Ridge, who was looking beautiful in her tiara, gown and numerous arms and legs. Over at the World Grotto, Bo Peep and her lamb and a beautiful Japanese geisha and her man were amongst the dreadlocked Rastas swaying to the tropic sounds of the Natti Love Joys.

Meanwhile, over at the Corner Lounge, a joyful gathering of freaks and head-bangers were grooving to Saviorself, Evil Twin and Speedshifter. Amongst all the ghouls, I ran into a woman dressed as the late great PBS paint instructor Bob Ross. I just about peed in my Dallas pink suit! By now, Eleanor had gone on home. She can be so square sometimes.

Finally, I returned to Preservation Pub to end the evening with the Band of Humans’

rousing punk set which included “Vomit in My Sleep,” and “Insane in the Brain.” By now, my flip hairdo was flopped and my pillbox hat kept slipping off. It was time to go home. But the beauty part is - Halloween isn’t until Tuesday.