So You Have To Dress Like Your State for Halloween...

[Green Bean]

Inspired by this thread (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=484955).

Here's the scenario:

You are going to a Halloween party. You're supposed to dress like "your" state.

It can be your home state, the state you live in now, or a state that you've lived in for a significant amount of time (in other words, not some random state.) Obviously, there will be some states that will be represented by more than one costume.

There will be a costume contest at the party. You will be judged on creativity and cleverness. But your score will be reduced if your costume is so obscure that it requires more than the most rudimentary verbal explanation. And we'll just assume that all the costumes are beautifully constructed.

For the purposes of this thread:
--The costume actually has to be feasible to create and wear to a party.
--It can't be too outrageously expensive, or it wouldn't be "feasible."
--If it's not completely obvious what the costume would look like or how you would create it, please describe.

And for the non-Americans out there--You're invited to this party too! Hopefully your country has "states" or the equivalent. You may not dress as your country. For example, you may go as New South Wales, but you can't dress as Australia.

So what are you going to wear?

[WormTheRed]

No states in Iceland - but we're small enough for me to be able to dress as a Viking :)

But if that's not allowed, I'd go dressed as a Scanian (which is the southermost part of Sweden) "Gåsapåg (http://a1556.g.akamai.net/7/1556/1572/10932e079fd74e/www.disney.se/kalleanka/ankeborg/portratt/portrettbilder/portretter/guffen.gif)" (with white pants).

[alphaboi867]

I'd just dress like the man on the Quaker Oats box;).

[silenus]

I'd dress up as a box of granola.


Ba-dum-bump!

[TWDuke]

California is the Golden State, so I guess I could cover my entire body in gold paint.

Except for a small patch on my back of course, so my skin could breathe and I wouldn't die.

[NinjaChick]

Reddish desert-brown clothes. Glue sparse, random clumps of barely-green spiky plants all over.

Edit: New Mexico.

[Cunctator]

Perhaps I could wear a barrel and bare feet, since the state government here (NSW) seems to be virtually bankrupt at the moment.

[Student Driver]

I'd dress as a generic Indian (Native American Indian)-- the generic version probably would have a chief or brave headdress, bow and arrow, face paint-- with a shirt with a giant scarlet A.

(Shame the primary Indians from Indiana, the Miami, aren't known for striking visual displays...)

There are far more evocative things I could dress as-- an ear of corn, or an open-wheel race car-- but considering the roots of the name "Indiana," I feel the initial costume is the best.

[Ephemera]

I'm from Tennessee and Davy Crockett was one of our Congressmen. A coonskin cap, and some sort of woodsy outfit would be pretty cheap and easily recognizable, I think.

[dalej42]

Arizona. Probably some variation of the Saguaro cactus (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Saguaro_cactus_in_Arizona.jpg)

[MsRobyn]

The Liberty Bell. Or a bottle of Heinz ketchup.

Pennsylvania, where I live now. I'll have to think of the others later.

Robin

[NinetyWt]

I'm not too sure what would work.

A southern belle is too generic, could be any southern state.

I suppose I could attempt to dress up as a steamboat, catfish, or magnolia blossom...or maybe a cotton boll..a bluesman?

Hmm. I think I'll wear a catfish costume and carry a bouquet of magnolias. I'll also have a guitar slung across my back, and a harmonica around my neck, like my buddy Sherman Lee (http://www.shermanleedillon.com/sldphotos/pages/sldpelahatchie.html). :)

(Mississippi)

[Boyo Jim]

This is SO easy! Cheesehead! (http://www.cheesehead.com/)

[Green Bean]

After much consideration, I have made my (very literal) costume decision.

If you look at New Jersey (http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/state/newjersey.html), and if you kinda squint your eyes and tilt your head, you can see that it's approximately female-shaped. Since I'm also approximately female-shaped, I thought I could take advantage of this and make a New Jersey Map dress.

It would be a sleeveless sheath with one shoulder strap, giving the top a tilted appearance. The mountainous northern region would be aptly mimicked by my own mountainous northern region. The hem of the dress would be asymmetrical, with the lowest point representing Cape May.

The top and middle parts of the dress would be a multicolored fabric with predominant green and tan tones to represent the variegated terrain. The skirt of the dress would be a more solid darker green to represent the pine barrens. There would be an approximately semicircular section on the right towards the top made out of some crazy wild multicolored pattern. The would represent the densely populated areas surrounding New York City. There would be a smaller, but similar, area below the left hip, representing the areas by Philadelphia.

There would be a broad tan stripe down the right side for the Jersey Shore, perhaps with a dark-blue ruffle for the Atlantic Ocean. The left side would have a narrower medium-blue stripe for the Delaware River. The whole thing would be quadrisected by two broad gray stripes--one for the Garden State Parkway, and the other for the New Jersey Turnpike.

And I really wouldn't be able to resist putting some splotches of fluorescent green glow-in-the-dark paint on it. Gotta have toxic waste!

Now if I really wanted to get crazy, I could start adding little items all over the dress to symbolize bits of history, mythology, and current coolness. The list could go on and on...but one thing I would certainly do is embroider, somewhere on the Pine Barrens Skirt, a little Jersey Devil!

[blondebear]

Simple. I'll just slip into my blondeGrizzly bear costume.

[Invisible Chimp]

It can be your home state, the state you live in now, or a state that you've lived in for a significant amount of time (in other words, not some random state.)

So what are you going to wear?

All the same for me, as I am a fourth generation and lifelong Oregonian. Also, an easy costume choice since we are the Beaver State, I dress as a beaver.

[panache45]

I'd go as a large Ohio quarter, since it's one of the "tossup" states. Or perhaps it'd be easier to go Amish.

Or . . . I lived in NYC for 25 years. I'd have lots of fun making a Chrysler Building costume.

[Caricci]

I would go as a lobster, a mobster or a red chicken, but not as a road or an island since my state is technically neither.

[Jayn_Newell]

I'd probably just dress in red and carry a barrel of corn for Nebraska.

For Nova Scotia, I think a fish playing the bagpipes would work.

[ladyfoxfyre]

I'd dress like a snowbird.

[Baker]

As much as I loath the idea I'd probably go either as a lion, a scarecrow, a tin woodsman, a witch, or a small dog. No way am I going as a farmgirl.

[NinetyWt]

As much as I loath the idea I'd probably go either as a lion, a scarecrow, a tin woodsman, a witch, or a small dog. No way am I going as a farmgirl.
No winged monkeys?

[Susie Derkins]

I'm from Florida, so I'll just dress up as a huge wang.

[Chronos]

The obvious choice would be a cowboy, but even though I think Montana is the archtypical cowboy state, that could also be anywhere in the West. Likewise grizzly bears or bison. No, the best choice would be either a tyrannosaur or a triceratops, both of which are (were) found almost exclusively in Montana. And were also my favored choices for our state quarter, but no, we had to go with a completely non-distinctive steer skull instead.

[Sampiro]

Alabama. I'd go as a box of crackers with a thick red (for red-state) belt that has a Bible for a buckle.

[whistlepig]

The obvious choice would be a cowboy, but even though I think Montana is the archtypical cowboy state, that could also be anywhere in the West. Likewise grizzly bears or bison. No, the best choice would be either a tyrannosaur or a triceratops, both of which are (were) found almost exclusively in Montana. And were also my favored choices for our state quarter, but no, we had to go with a completely non-distinctive steer skull instead.

If not a cowboy why not dress as a "Montanan" by transplant (e.g., the person that moves to Montana and thinks they are a "Montanan" just because they have a new zip code.)

Dress just a little too well for any ocassion. Bonus points if you wear a new cowboy hat, triple points if it's pink or purple and you aren't actually in a rodeo wearing a sash.

[Chronos]

Nah, that would be a Californian.:cool:

To be fair, I'm a Montanan by transplant myself... I mostly picked Montana rather than my home state of Ohio for this because Montana has lower population, so I figured that Ohio would be well-represented by others. For Ohio, though, the obvious choice would be a Buckeye (http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/PHO/AAIM170~Brutus-Buckeye-Posters.jpg), that being the official state symbol and nickname. One could also go with a uniform for one of the pro sports teams.

[Baker]

No winged monkeys?


Ooooh, MUCH better choice!:D

[Eliahna]

I'll pin artificial flowers all over my dress and go as Victoria: The Garden State. It's easier than trying to dress up as Zach Braff.

And then I'll get beaten up by all the other states who call themselves the Garden state. Chill out, New Jersey!

[Rico]

I'll just ask all the women and children in my neighborhood to go with me as a polygamist family (http://utahbooks.com/images/History%20of%20Colorado%20City/Polygamist_Family_new.jpg).

Not really, but it might be fun....

[Queen Bruin]

Queen Califia.

I'd have to go hit the tanning booth a lot to make it work.

[Sublight]

The unofficial nickname of Tokyo (which counts as a state) is The Concrete Buttplug, so I guess I know what I'm going as.

[Sunspace]

Ontario: we've got 'rocks and trees and trees and rocks and rocks and trees and trees and rocks and rocks and trees and trees and rocks and... waterrr...' :)

So I guess I get a choice.

[Caractacus Pott]

Seeing that Alaska driver's license in my wallet, I must, MUST put on a red one-piece swimsuit (http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/article35143.ece). As a large man who resembles Grizzly Adams, I may not win Miss Alaska 2008 though.

Chefguy, beat ya to it!

[BaconAndEggs]

Ralph: "I'm Idaho."

[Don't fight the hypothetical]

The obvious choice would be a cowboy...
Now I have an image of you from NSFW photo thread as The Thinker in a cowboy hat.

I'm from Texas. Since going as an actual asshole violates the rules of this thread, I guess I'd dress as an oil derrick?

[olivesmarch4th]

I could just crochet a giant mitten to put over my head.

[Wallflower]

This is SO easy! Cheesehead! (http://www.cheesehead.com/)Exactly what I was going to say, right down to the link! Alternatively, Wisconsin is the Badger State.

[Tristan]

The obvious choice would be a cowboy, but even though I think Montana is the archtypical cowboy state, that could also be anywhere in the West. Likewise grizzly bears or bison. No, the best choice would be either a tyrannosaur or a triceratops, both of which are (were) found almost exclusively in Montana. And were also my favored choices for our state quarter, but no, we had to go with a completely non-distinctive steer skull instead.


You could make a big print of one of CM Russell's more famous paintings, and wear it on a big sandwhich board?


Tristan- transplanted Montanan living in Pennsylvania by way of California. Sort of.

[bathsheba]

I could just get quietly shit-faced.

(South Australia, The Wine State).

[Zsofia]

It's hard to differentiate South Carolina from other Deep South states, although I suppose you could go as Strom Thurmond. If you want to put some creative work in you could be a really cute Cradle of Secession, though.

[chacoguy]

I'll just ask all the women and children in my neighborhood to go with me as a polygamist family (http://utahbooks.com/images/History%20of%20Colorado%20City/Polygamist_Family_new.jpg).

Not really, but it might be fun....



Make sure you dress them in Prairie Skirts; that, and throw on some Jesus Jammies.

[NinetyWt]

It's hard to differentiate South Carolina from other Deep South states, although I suppose you could go as Strom Thurmond. If you want to put some creative work in you could be a really cute Cradle of Secession, though.
Dress as a palmetto tree; and get a wire so that you can fix up a Damocles-style crescent moon.

[KneadToKnow]

Light 'em if you got 'em. (http://s2.thisnext.com/media/230x230_no_border/Cigarette-Butt-Costume_8659FE4B.jpg)

[Fretful Porpentine]

I'm not very good at costumes and I can't really think of anything that screams "Mississippi." Maybe I could just stand on my left leg the whole time? Of course, if people were looking at me from behind, they might think I was Alabama.

[The Tof]

As a resident of the Beaver state- I would clearly be dressing up as a naked lady. (Note- I am not a lady)

[dba Fred]

In honor of the OP, I would paint myself blue, representing the Atlantic Ocean, so I could lap at I mean hug Green Bean's shoreline.

:confused:Do I have to have crabs on my bottom?

Can I get a state waiver as I'm usually in a state of confusion?

[eleanorigby]

Fretful--if you know that song, "Mississippi Mud", you could just plaster yourself with mud...





1. Abe Lincoln, but the beard would itch. Plus, I'm only 5'7".
2. Al Capone--carry a violin case, wear a zoot suit and spats; smoke.
3. Vecro lots of small fans to my clothes (Windy City) and wear massive shoulder pads (City of the Big Shoulders).
4. Lose 50 pounds, wear some type of native dress and carry a big rock and go as Starved Rock. legend (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starved_Rock_State_Park)

5. Dress as the Blues Brothers and pretend to like blues for a night.

[Hanna]

This is SO easy! Cheesehead! (http://www.cheesehead.com/)

My first thought. Or a can of Old Milwaukee beer.

[FilmGeek]

I could go as Harry Truman (my birth state)
Or a Jayhawk (my college state)
Or... Mount Hood? A hippie? A duck or a beaver? Hmm...

[Caractacus Pott]

It's hard to differentiate South Carolina from other Deep South states, although I suppose you could go as Strom Thurmond. If you want to put some creative work in you could be a really cute Cradle of Secession, though.What??? Are you forgetting Tammy Faye Baker? Her heyday occurred less than 2 hours from where you are. Big hard hair, fake eyelashes like tarantulas, whore makeup applied with a trowel? Remember to cry so the K-Mart eye makeup runs.

How about Myrtle Beach girl: tight belly shirt with a rude saying involving tits, tight shorts emblazoned with Myrtle Beach, flip flops, jewelry from Eagles or Wings, Banana Boat, and blue eyeshadow. Muffin top and henna tramp stamp optional.

If you're considering menswear, there's only one choice: blue seersucker suit and straw boater hat, mint julep in sterling cup optional but highly recommended. You shouldn't have a problem getting one on King Street in Charleston if Granger Owings or Brittons are out.

[Gala Matrix Fire]

[Lisa Simpson]Nevada makes my butt look big![/Lisa Simpson]

[cmkeller]

For New York, I'd dress as a Big Apple.

(Yes, that's the city, not the whole state. This city contains almost half the state's population and more than that share of its economic activity. Live with it, upstaters.)

[thirdwarning]

[B]

5. Dress as the Blues Brothers and pretend to like blues for a night.

You be Elwood and I'll be Jake.


Otherwise there's Chief Illiniwek, although that one would be difficult for me as a female.

Maybe I could do some sort of locomotive thing and be the Illinois Central RR.

[SpoilerVirgin]

Here's my costume (http://www.concierge.com/images/destinations/sponsored_properties/seeanddo/northamerica/unitedstates/california/sanfrancisco/sanfrancisco_seeanddo_006p.jpg).

Whaddya mean, there's more to California than San Francisco?

[swampbear]

I could dress up like a peach or a peanut. Or a saltine cracker. Or a bowl of grits.

[Mrs. Cake]

Wow, not much to choose from. Pigs, corn, soybeans, or some unholy GMO blend of all three, I suppose. Or I might wear pants that are too short and wait for another flood.

[Ann Onimous]

A foam dress, shaped like the state, turned sideways: so that the major part if the Gulf Coast is in the front and the lower part is in the rear, like a train. Add a very large magnolia collar.

Mississippi here.

[Ignatz]

For my present location NC, I'd paint my neck red, my heels with tar, and cover myself with cracker crumbs and kudzu. For my MA state of birth, I'd dress as a Boston baked bean.

[jackdavinci]

I'm from NY so I guess I'd have to go with pants that were a patchwork, starting mostly green at the bottom and gradually turning mostly grey at the top, with a big skyscraper coming out of my crotch. My shirt would be mostly green with a few blue splotches and lines, and with lots of leaves.

[pepperlandgirl]

The easy or stereotypical route would be your standard-issue Mormon missionary. Since I'm a girl, that means a nice, frumpy looking dress, and a name tag. But if I were going to go crazy, (and take a page from Chronos' book) I'd choose The Utahraptor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utahraptor)

[Eureka]

In honor of the state of my birth, I would dress as a loon. Except . . . I'm not entirely sure I want to have to explain to people that I'm not a big black and white duck.

So I came up with a Plan B, requires more explanation, but is more interesting.

Evening gown, Parka, Tiara, and a bunch of yellow pancake makeup. A Dairy Princess carved from butter from the Minnesota State Fair.

(Note: when I've actually seen the Dairy Princesses being carved out of butter, they were wearing parkas but not evening gowns. But the evening gown would go a long way in my imagination to denote the whole winner of beauty pageant thing).

[lobotomyboy63]

Fretful--if you know that song, "Mississippi Mud", you could just plaster yourself with mud...

But it's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi mud; all the other partygoers might start kicking you. Ow!


1. Abe Lincoln, but the beard would itch. Plus, I'm only 5'7".
2. Al Capone--carry a violin case, wear a zoot suit and spats; smoke.
3. Vecro lots of small fans to my clothes (Windy City) and wear massive shoulder pads (City of the Big Shoulders).
4. Lose 50 pounds, wear some type of native dress and carry a big rock and go as Starved Rock. legend (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starved_Rock_State_Park)
5. Dress as the Blues Brothers and pretend to like blues for a night.

[underlining mine]

1) Alternatively, on the Abe Lincoln angle, you could go as a penny.
3) Then o'course, there's the whole Carl Sandburg poem about Chicago for inspiration:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_(poem)

Hog Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler

4) Geez, eleanorigby, we must have lived right next door to each other or something when I was in Illinois. Next thing I know you'll be talking about that LaGrotto Pizza on Rte 6 in L-P.

[Harmonious Discord]

The proper Wisconsin costume that should leave no mistake as to the state is a badger. The animal, because dressing as a miner is to obscure, while dressing in a red outfit for the Badgers is cheating while being all some people can manage. No other state is called the badger state.

Dressing as a can of Old Milwaukee or a Budweiser might be good for a more controversial outfit.

Cheese is not necessarily Wisconsin and it needs to be colby if you dress as cheese, for Colby Wisconsin. I'd prefer to dress as a better cheese, but you need the word colby on your label, for the clarification that it's Wisconsin.

You could go as a hodag and that plants you in Rhinelander Wisconsin. I think there are enough folklore monster lovers out there to have people get the connection. I don't think everybody will though.

[Harmonious Discord]

Wow, not much to choose from. Pigs, corn, soybeans, or some unholy GMO blend of all three, I suppose. Or I might wear pants that are too short and wait for another flood.

Dress as an Ertl toy tractor.

[Jackmannii]

If you wore a costume designed to represent the state of Ohio, you'd be short and wide. Which wouldn't make you stand out from a lot of other Ohioans.

Or you could enlist the aid of your family, and dress as a giant buckeye pursued by a horde of rabid squirrels.

[Caractacus Pott]

If you wore a costume designed to represent the state of Ohio, you'd be short and wide. Which wouldn't make you stand out from a lot of other Ohioans.

Or you could enlist the aid of your family, and dress as a giant buckeye pursued by a horde of rabid squirrels.
Wait, I thought you'd have to be round on both ends and high in the middle to be Ohio. [badum, bum]

[Elysium]

In honor of our bastard of a state bird I think I'll be a big fat turkey.

Then I'd beat people up all night, because they really are assholes.

But they are also so tasty, so I guess they're okay. As long as they're smothered in gravy with a side of mash.

If the turkey costume got too hot or I got kicked out for biting people I'd come back as a pilgrim.

[Zebra]

Well you should go as the Empire State building since NY is the Empire State.


For Oklahoma I would just give my neck a liberal dusting with red makeup.

[Harmonious Discord]

Oklahoma you wear an oak key, and if you want to go all out you wear an oak key with a stogy. Stogy is the closest I can get Mistokie.

[GingerOfTheNorth]

Now if I really wanted to get crazy, I could start adding little items all over the dress to symbolize bits of history, mythology, and current coolness. The list could go on and on...but one thing I would certainly do is embroider, somewhere on the Pine Barrens Skirt, a little Jersey Devil!
Don't forget the stinky southern part!

For Maryland, where I live now, the state motto is "Fatti Maschii, Parole Femine" Manly Deeds, Womanly Words. So, I guess I could swing a sledgehammer and talk purty.

For Alberta, where I lived most of my life, I'd dress as a cow with an oil derrick on it's back. Or paint my neck red.

[GingerOfTheNorth]

Don't forget the stinky southern part!

For Maryland, where I live now, the state motto is "Fatti Maschii, Parole Femine" Manly Deeds, Womanly Words. So, I guess I could swing a sledgehammer and talk purty.
Oh DUH. "America in Miniature" is also pretty common appellation, so I could just wear a teeny map of America.

[Zebra]

Oh DUH. "America in Miniature" is also pretty common appellation, so I could just wear a teeny map of America.

And nothing else.

[Harmonious Discord]

Don't forget the stinky southern part!

For Maryland, where I live now, the state motto is "Fatti Maschii, Parole Femine" Manly Deeds, Womanly Words. So, I guess I could swing a sledgehammer and talk purty.

For Alberta, where I lived most of my life, I'd dress as a cow with an oil derrick on it's back. Or paint my neck red.

I'd get Alberta if I knew it was Canada, but otherwise I'd wonder if it was Texas. Throw in a Canadian touk and I'd get it for sure.

[GingerOfTheNorth]

I'd get Alberta if I knew it was Canada, but otherwise I'd wonder if it was Texas. Throw in a Canadian touk and I'd get it for sure.

Tuque! And possibly some lovely bacon.

Zebra has clearly never seen me naked.

[eleanorigby]

But it's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi mud; all the other partygoers might start kicking you. Ow!




1) Alternatively, on the Abe Lincoln angle, you could go as a penny.
3) Then o'course, there's the whole Carl Sandburg poem about Chicago for inspiration:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_(poem)

Hog Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler

4) Geez, eleanorigby, we must have lived right next door to each other or something when I was in Illinois. Next thing I know you'll be talking about that LaGrotto Pizza on Rte 6 in L-P.

Nah--I've just been to Starved Rock a couple of times. It's pretty there. I did the Chicago poem with my big shoulder pads, dude! (the pizza sounds good, though--I googled it).

Hey, if I went as a penny, I could say this to all the cute guys and maybe get a date out of it:" Find a penny, pick it up; all the day you'll have good luck!"


Now you see why I don't date....

[lobotomyboy63]

Nah--I've just been to Starved Rock a couple of times. It's pretty there. I did the Chicago poem with my big shoulder pads, dude! (the pizza sounds good, though--I googled it).

Hey, if I went as a penny, I could say this to all the cute guys and maybe get a date out of it:" Find a penny, pick it up; all the day you'll have good luck!"


Now you see why I don't date....

Well next time you make it to Starved Rock, mosey on over to LaGrotto. You won't be disappointed.

Isn't there something about rubbing the nose on Abe's statue for good luck? If you place it just---oh wait, you're not a guy ;)

[Bearflag70]

California = Minerva

[Septima]

Well, since the city of Oslo and surrounding country is also an administrative zone, I'm comming as Saint Hallvard (http://www.byarkivet.oslo.kommune.no/OBA/aktuelt_arkiv/St_Hallvard.asp), Oslo's patron saint.

I'll be wearing a red tunic, a cape, a helmet and halo, and I'll be carrying a millstone (papier maché) in one hand and three arrows in the other.

[Charger]

The proper Wisconsin costume that should leave no mistake as to the state is a badger. The animal, because dressing as a miner is to obscure, while dressing in a red outfit for the Badgers is cheating while being all some people can manage. No other state is called the badger state.

Dressing as a can of Old Milwaukee or a Budweiser might be good for a more controversial outfit.

Cheese is not necessarily Wisconsin and it needs to be colby if you dress as cheese, for Colby Wisconsin. I'd prefer to dress as a better cheese, but you need the word colby on your label, for the clarification that it's Wisconsin.

You could go as a hodag and that plants you in Rhinelander Wisconsin. I think there are enough folklore monster lovers out there to have people get the connection. I don't think everybody will though.


Probably a badger wearing a cheesehead hat, carrying a pitcher of beer and a bloody butcher knife. That way you've got all of Wisconsin's claims to fame represented: badgers, cheese, beer, and serial killers.

[GingerOfTheNorth]

Isn't there something about rubbing the nose on Abe's statue for good luck?

Years ago, elder son and I went through Springfield and did just that.

[What Exit?]

Well as Green Bean is dressing as the state. I will either dress as a Garden State Parkway Exit sign ;) or as a famous New Jerseyian. Now I am too heavy to dress as Bruce Springstein and I don't think I could pull off Frank Sinatra, but I have the general body shape of Kevin Smith, so maybe I would go as Silent Bob.

[Euryphaessa]

A salmon carrying a chocolate bar and an Acadian flag. I'm from New Brunswick.

[Sunspace]

Now if I really wanted to get crazy, I could start adding little items all over the dress to symbolize bits of history, mythology, and current coolness. The list could go on and on...but one thing I would certainly do is embroider, somewhere on the Pine Barrens Skirt, a little Jersey Devil!Don't forget the stinky southern part! That depends on what the meal served at the event is.I'd get Alberta if I knew it was Canada, but otherwise I'd wonder if it was Texas. Throw in a Canadian touk and I'd get it for sure.You're close. Alberta is basically the Texas of Canada. Oil, cowboys, conservatives, etc. The name of the knitted cap is spelt 'toque' (or 'tuque'), but I think 'touk' is a much more interesting way of spelling it, and worthy of adoption.

[Harmonious Discord]

Nah--I've just been to Starved Rock a couple of times. It's pretty there. I did the Chicago poem with my big shoulder pads, dude! (the pizza sounds good, though--I googled it).

Hey, if I went as a penny, I could say this to all the cute guys and maybe get a date out of it:" Find a penny, pick it up; all the day you'll have good luck!"


Now you see why I don't date....

You realize that the next line will be so if I pick you up I'll get lucky?

[Harmonious Discord]

Probably a badger wearing a cheesehead hat, carrying a pitcher of beer and a bloody butcher knife. That way you've got all of Wisconsin's claims to fame represented: badgers, cheese, beer, and serial killers.

I'd say wear a faux human skin suit if you want to go for Wisconsin serial killer. Dressing as a refrigerator with body parts in it would work too. Dahmer died about three miles from my house.

[eleanorigby]

You realize that the next line will be so if I pick you up I'll get lucky?

Oh.....

[Emily Latella] never mind[/EL]

[pbbth]

I could go as the Statue of Liberty. Or maybe a grey dress to represent all the construction and concrete with a big green square in the middle of it to represent Central Park.

[lizardling]

Chuck Norris in a black Stetson. :D

Or more generically, a cowboy in Lone Star regalia.

[Green Bean]

Chuck Norris in a black Stetson. :DChuck Norris? Damn, you win the contest.

(well unless we get a Wilford Brimley entry...)

[missred]

I would have to go as a guitar.

(Memphis for blues, Nashville for country and East Tennessee for bluegrass/mountain music, all involving...guitars)