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Dressed to impress in costume

Shelli and Mark Olson defy the notion that Halloween get ups are just for kids.

By ABHA BHATTARAI
Published October 25, 2006

Shelli Olson made her first Halloween costume in grade school: a barrel painted to look like a Coors beer can.

"Of course, I was quickly sent home," she said. "I was a sixth- grader walking around school in a beer can."

Nearly 30 years later, Shelli is still making costumes for her favorite holiday. She and her husband, Mark, spend weeks perfecting their costumes and months planning their annual Halloween soiree.

They take it seriously and it shows. In the 15 years they've been together, they've won nearly $20,000 from costume contests.

More than 100 people showed up Saturday for the Olsons' "Unlikely Superheroes" party. They built a replica of Gotham City - complete with music, fog and large rats - in the front yard.

Ranae Sorensen, dressed as Super Mommy, has been coming to the party for years. She was hauling around a doll, milk bottles, a stuffed Elmo and a Dunkin' Donuts coffee cup.

"They do the best Halloween parties," she said. "From the minute you step into this place, you're involved."

Mark decided to dress as Super Surfer Man, running from guest to guest in a red cape, tiny blue shorts and no shoes. The extravagant costumes, the ones that win thousands of dollars, won't come until next week.

The Olsons' creations have ranged from wacky - Mark once went as "The Well Hung Man" with a noose around his neck - to grotesque, a man sitting in an outhouse.

Their favorites, though, are the 8-foot Invisible Man and Woman, which they created for their first Halloween party in 1991.

"The Invisible Man and Woman are such world travelers," said Shelli, a graphic designer by trade. "They've been everywhere. They've done everything."

They've been on Regis Live, met Carmen Electra, and won trips to New York and Dallas to see the Rolling Stones. Mark estimates the 8-foot costumes racked up about $2,000 in prize money.

They took about a week to make them, Mark said.

Shelli bought a large felt coat at a second-hand shop.

"Once I found that, it all fell into place," she said.

They molded the bodies using "a lot of duct tape and chicken wire. Then they added the details: sunglasses, hats, eyes that lit up.

"They're very elegant," he said. "They look like they're going to a formal. He's got a cigar and a glass of brandy and she's wearing earrings and gloves."

The Olsons have yet to decide what they will be this year, but Mark said it'll be "big and weird-looking." They plan to compete in costume contests all weekend.

By the time Halloween rolls around, they'll be exhausted.

"Last year I got so tired from carrying around my outfit that, on Halloween night, I just stayed in," he said.

[Last modified October 25, 2006, 06:31:00]