Hayley Mick
From Friday's Globe and Mail Published on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 5:34PM EDT Last updated on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 5:51PM EDT
Who says the balloon boy's bubble has burst?
This year's hottest Halloween costume may come in the form of six-year-old Falcon Heene, whose fake disappearance in a makeshift hot-air balloon has landed his allegedly fame-seeking parents in court – and has entrepreneurs hoping his 15 minutes will drag on all the way to Oct. 31.
Saskatoon-based company Plantraco Microflight has been flooded with hundreds of orders since launching its Balloon Boy Halloween Kit earlier this week.
“We're swamped,” said Jason Toews, operations manager. For $19.99, the kit includes a 38-inch Mylar balloon, a laser-cut gondola and an instruction sheet. Customers provide their own helium, string and a cardboard box.
Then there's the Balloon Boy Hat – resembling a giant chefs hat made of tinfoil – now selling on eBay for $14.95.
Or you could save some cash and make your own costume.
“All you need is some aluminum foil and a bag of throw-up,” writes Monolith, an online men's magazine.
Blogger Linda Ann Nickerson claims “the Balloon Boy Halloween costume is one of the easiest masquerades ever made.” Her step-by-step instructions come with a handy tip: “Hey, kids! … Be sure to let your parents know where you are.”
But some hope the balloon boy story deflates sooner rather than later.
On its list of top Halloween costumes to avoid, Gawker.com lists balloon boy along with “summer death celebrities” such as Michael Jackson.
“This is going to be popular because it will be easy to rig together, and everyone will think it's funny and current,” they write of balloon boy. “It's neither.”


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