Last year's terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 diminished the fun associated with Halloween, causing many consumers to reconsider their purchases of candy and other scary items, said James Lowry, a retail-marketing analyst at Ball State University.

Retailers also delayed heavy advertising campaigns until early October.

"Last year we had real monsters out there and that caused many people to be uncertain," Lowry said. "Because of that we saw a lot more red, white and blue decorations because people wanted to be patriotic in light of terrorist attacks. We will see a return to the traditional orange and black this year.

"I think Americans are trying to return to a sense of normalcy now and Halloween is going to play a big role in that," he said. "Halloween is America's national Mardi Gras. We are ready for a good celebration in the coming weeks."

In annual surveys conducted by the National Retail Federation, the majority of consumers anticipate decorating their residences for Halloween.

This enthusiasm generated $756 million in sales of seasonal Halloween decorations in 2000, making it the fastest growing category in the seasonal decorations segment, second only to Christmas. For many consumers, Halloween, not Thanksgiving, now marks the beginning of the fall decorating season.

Lowry anticipates that young adults will continue to use the holiday as an excuse to host or attend major celebrations.

Several surveys also found about a third of adults plan to be in costume this year, he said.

"Halloween used to be for kids, but adults have made it their own," Lowry said. "It is a way for adults to express themselves amid the conservatism found during wartime. We all feel a need to loosen up."

Last year's poll by the National Retail Federation found that young adults seem more willing than any other age group to spend larger amounts of time, effort and money on Halloween fun. Respondents aged 18 to 24 years old spent an average of $68 for Halloween-related items this year, $23 more than overall respondents. Young adults also purchased an average of $23 on Halloween costumes in 2001, compared to the overall average of $14.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Lowry at jlowry@bsu.edu or (765) 285-5180.)