The University of Idaho Argonaut

Jake Barber/Argonaut

Mythological creatures, zombies, science fiction characters and other versions of typical, and not so typical, costumes wandered through four different cities. Halloween is one night of the year when people are allowed to dress up and act as crazy as they like. Costumes range from one side of the spectrum to the other with some interesting bumps. With that, here are some of the best costumes found by The Argonaut FrontRow staff in Moscow, Pullman, Portland, Ore., and Austin, Texas.

AUSTIN — Austin has a phrase that describes it almost flawlessly, “Keep Austin Weird.” This was no different on Halloween night where people were dressed from a Zombie Che Guevera to a couple in obese blow-up “fat suits.”

MOSCOW — One couple was daring enough to dress as something that might be an accessory to many people’s costumes this year — beer. Ironically, they were seen in their natural habitat during tailgating.

AUSTIN — The most interesting costume of all was the one worn by Steve Busti, co-owner of the Lucky Lizard — Conan the Barbarian. A sight most people can live without seeing and be just fine.

Anthony Saia/Argonaut

PULLMAN — It seemed like slim pickings for good Halloween costumes this year in Pullman. The best costume found around town was a human fly. Perhaps not the most original idea ever, but what made it stand out was the hand-built mask made from spray-foam insulation – complete with a proboscis straw for partaking of beverages.

AUSTIN — The green man character from,  “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” took a break from Philly and headed south to roam the 6th Street block party in Texas.

AUSTIN — Halloween caused a swarm this year in Texas with a girl dressed like a bee making her way through the busy roads. The costume appeared to be homemade, but that didn’t stop the bee from being full of energy.

Anthony Saia/Argonaut

PORTLAND — Some costumes were unidentifiable, but stood out for their creativity or size. One man made a giant paper Mache head and relied upon friends to lead him down the crowded sidewalks.

AUSTIN — Walking through the streets of the modern world, a caveman made his way through the crowds with his club in hand during the large block party.

MOSCOW — The tacky shirt and awful khaki pants might have led some to think he was a tourist, but after you saw the slicked back hair, there was no mistaking Ace Ventura. Spank you, spank you very much.

Jake Barber/Argonaut

AUSTIN — Some people weren’t playing with a full deck Friday because one of the cards was wandering through the mob of people dressed in costumes.

MOSCOW — Paying homage to the popular Arrested Development television character Tobias, Ryan Clark, a University of Idaho student, took to the Moscow streets Halloween night to join in the college festivities. In addition to the standard Tobias mustache and large-framed glasses, Clark also sported full blue face paint from the character’s brief stint as a member of the Blue Man Group.

PORTLAND — Many people dressed up as pop culture icons, including Alex and his Droogs from “A Clockwork Orange,” Hunter S. Thompson, and the elusive Waldo of “Where’s Waldo” fame. Multiple Jesus’ roamed the roads, as did an abundance of pirates, cats, zombies, drag queens and cowboys.

Jake Barber/Argonaut

MOSCOW — How many times do you see a Halloween costume chased down and high-fived by so many people? The oversized helmet only added to the awesomeness of childhood icon Speed Racer.

MOSCOW — If there was a trophy for best Halloween costume, these four guys would definitely be number one. It takes a split second to realize that a few cardboard boxes and some paint have been transformed into Tetris. Yes, Tetris. Bravo gentleman, bravo.

PORTLAND — Downtown was filled with creative, offensive and downright bizarre creations. One man dressed as a Sim, wearing completely normal clothes with a neon green three-dimensional diamond suspended over his head.

Jake Barber/Argonaut

MOSCOW — While many girls dressed up as characters that wore next to nothing, there was one who opted to take a completely different route. Wearing blue sweatpants and a blue sweatshirt, with felt sewn on to make polka dots, eyes and spikes, an Idaho student dressed up as a dinosaur. It was a homemade, weather-appropriate, wholesome alternative to the less modest ensembles of many ofher peers.

MOSCOW — Another homemade costume was one that was put together to look like the Michelin man. Consisting of a big, puffy, white snow jacket with a sticker of the Michelin company logo stuck to it, and white shoes, face paint and pants, this outfit got a ton of laughs.

AUSTIN — Star Wars was not on a galaxy far, far away Saturday night, it was instead spread among the crowded streets of downtown Austin, including an authentic Chewbacca and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Jake Barber/Argonaut

MOSCOW — Of course, what would any Halloween party be without someone dressed as a zombie? With intricate face painting to really make the look complete, it was fun to see a guy that took so much time and effort into his look for the night.

AUSTIN — Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf did not seem to be enemies this Halloween as they hung around the costume scene together.

MOSCOW — Two girls dressed as Wayne and Garth definitely made this party time excellent, complete with drumsticks, wild hair and a blow up guitar.

MOSCOW — Getting into the real spirit of Halloween in a college town Andrew Yanoshek dressed as a Pabst delivery boy, bringing refreshment to the thirsty partygoers of Moscow. In cut-off shorts, a fake moustache and Pabst cap, Yanoshek braved the cold night to fulfill his civic duty by bringing joy to of age college students weary from recent midterms.  

Jake Barber/Argonaut