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Posted on Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 9:20 a.m.

Top 10 Halloween costumes in Ann Arbor in 2011

By Nathan Bomey

There may be nothing more frightening than an angry bird, as Alfred Hitchcock would surely attest.

Apparently Ann Arbor agrees. Angry Birds, the popular mobile video game, is the most popular Halloween costume of the year in Ann Arbor, according to web search activity compiled by Google.

Angry_Birds.jpg

This Angry Bird seems to be more excited about Christmas than Halloween.

Photo courtesy of Angry Birds

Aggregated web search activity — which can be compiled to profile a general region — provides new insight into consumer trends.

The average U.S. consumer was expected to spend $72.31 this year, up from $66.28 in 2010, according to the National Retail Federation.

Michigan web users complete 10 percent more searches for "Halloween costumes" than the average U.S. web searcher, according to Google. And, in Michigan, "corn maze" and "pumpkin patch" are more popular than "hay ride," according to Google.

At least one local Halloween shop, Ypsilanti's Fantasy Attic, reports that consumers this year are especially interested in retro costumes like Saved by the Bell and Al Bundy.

But according to Google, here are the Top 10 web searches for Halloween costumes in Ann Arbor this year:

  1. Angry Birds
  2. Nicki Minaj
  3. Black Swan
  4. Playboy Bunny
  5. Smurfette
  6. Wilfred
  7. Charlie Sheen
  8. Tron Costume
  9. Power Ranger
  10. Rapunzel

Contact AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's newsletters.

Comments

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 8:02 p.m.

I thought the student at Saturday's game dressed up as Jim Tressel and who had a sign hung around his neck "Will Coach for Food" might be the best A2 Costume of 2011. But I am impressed that I made Eyeheart's list. LOL Good Night and Good Luck

EyeHeartA2

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 10:53 p.m.

You were a natural, both for the name and your prolific posting.

DBH

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 7:15 p.m.

"When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, 'tis near Halloween." (Author unknown)

EyeHeartA2

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 6:50 p.m.

1. A Flat duckling 2. A MJ prescription writing doctor – complete with craigslist ad 3. A crushed pedestrian (with proper credit given to Kim G) 4. An egregiously idling auto 5. All in black– representing summer power blackout 6. Mess of tangled tennis nets complete with poo stains 7. Clad in a fluorescent tee shirt that reads: "SHS – only the best" complete with an off the chart ACT score of 44 8. A picture from Kmart, bought with our 1% fund for art 9. Edward R Murrow's Ghost 10. A laid off policeman, firefighter or teacher

Kai Petainen

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 10:18 p.m.

you forgot... Charlie Brown's Ghost

Tom Teague

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 8:33 p.m.

Good list!

Jake C

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 8:33 p.m.

Congrats, you easily win "Post of the Month" with this one!

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 7:50 p.m.

Only number 9, eyeheart??? LOLOLOL Good one! GN&GL

aareader

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 5:30 p.m.

what about the morph costumes? My 11 year old and all his friends are wearing them this year.

Michelle

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.

My daughter is going as "V".......how odd........I'd never heard of that movie until they showed it in her class at Pioneer.

Chrissa

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 3:32 p.m.

I was going to go as "V" but now that means "Anonymous" so I am going to be a zombie. Because everyone loves zombies. >.<

Charlie Brown's Ghost

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 3:10 p.m.

I was going to go as an "occupy" type, but I forgot and took a shower this morning. Now it just wouldn't be authentic enough.

Jake C

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 1:44 p.m.

I don't think I saw any Angry Birds or Nicki Minaj's when I was out downtown on Saturday night, but I was one of at least 30 pirates I saw. Gotta like the classics.

Alan Goldsmith

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 11:10 a.m.

I'm going as a member of SPARK. Can I get the city to pay for my costume?