Halloween costume ideas that scream Indiana: Sammy Terry, Garfield, Dillinger and more

If a store-bought witch or Spiderman costume isn't your look, dressing up as these characters with ties to Indiana might help you stand out.

Clifford the Big Red Dog

Kokomo-native Norman Bridwell struggled to land a job as a children's book illustrator until hitting pay dirt (or is it pay dog?) with a story about a cuddly, clumsy red canine the size of a house. Today, more than 134 million copies of "Clifford the Big Red Dog" sit perched on the bookshelves of children the world over, according to Scholastic Books, where Clifford serves as the company mascot. The Clifford franchise includes two animated TV shows, a movie and learning-style video games.

What you'll need: You can find costumes for Clifford the Big Red Dog in various sizes sold online. If you're wanting a DIY approach, all you need is a whole lot of red. Wear red sweats and apply red face makeup. The red ears, red tail and black collar can be done easily enough with most crafting fabric.

The life of Norman Bridwell: A soft-spoken illustrator and his supersized franchise

John Dillinger

American gangster John Dillinger was born in Indianapolis in June 1903. His first recorded crime as a teenager was a car theft. Before he died after a hail of gunfire in Chicago, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover listed Dillinger as "Public Enemy No. 1" after a string of bank robberies and daring prison escapes.

What you'll need: Slick your hair back and dress in your best dapper suit. A toy (emphasis toy) Tommy Gun makes the ensemble work or, better yet, a carved wooden handgun as a nod to Dillinger's second prison escape from a cell in Crown Point. As a historical side note, maybe avoid hanging around any woman wearing a red dress — especially if you're going to the theater.

More: Retro Indy: The life and crimes of John Dillinger

Abraham Lincoln

Roughly four paragraphs and seven words ago (count it, I dare you), our editors brought forth, upon this publication, a new listicle, conceived in novelty, and dedicated to the proposition that all people are created equal in their desire to dress in Halloween costumes befitting their appreciation for Indiana.

Rocking out as Abraham Lincoln fits that bill, yo.

While Lincoln may have lived in Illinois, he grew up in Indiana. From age 7 to 21, the 16th president of the United States spent his formative years in what would later become Spencer County. His boyhood home is available to visit in Lincoln City.

What you'll need: A suit comprised of a black broadcloth coat, vest and trousers, along with a white shirt and black tie. A stovepipe hat and beard completes your ensemble. Like John Dillinger, we strongly suggest you avoid going to any theaters while dressed as Lincoln this Halloween.

More: The epic journey of Abraham Lincoln's funeral train

Sammy Terry

Hoosiers of a certain age might fondly recall a grinning ghoul by the name of "Sammy Terry," who either amused or scared the hell out of them when they were kids. Sammy Terry actor Bob Carter hosted WTTV Channel 4's "Nightmare Theater" in Indianapolis from 1962 until 1989. He was accompanied by his trusted spider companion, George, and a litany of awful puns. Hoosiers and insomniacs alike adored him.

What you'll need: To begin, a whole lot of personality. But to get the look right, don a red cape and hood, yellow gloves, black shirt and pants, and a skull necklace. Apply white or green face makeup with shadowing as needed. You get bonus points for carrying around a large spider but, more importantly, work on your most malevolent and sinister-sounding laugh.

The man behind the makeup: Sammy Terry was a ghoulishly good horror movie host

'Stranger Things'

Netflix's popular TV series, "Stranger Things," takes place in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. With enough friends, your squad can go as the whole cast. If not, fan-favorite characters include Eleven, Nancy Wheeler, Steve Harrington, Dustin Henderson, Jim Hopper, Murray Bauman, and of course, Eddie Munson.

What you'll need: Thanks to its popularity, most stores selling Halloween costumes have "Stranger Things" merchandise readily available. Absent that, vintage clothing shops with '80s apparel are worth checking out. And if you're unwilling to shave your head like Millie Bobby Brown's character (seriously, where's your Halloween spirit?), a wig, fake blood for your nose and a white leotard will do the job. To go as Eddie Munson, find an '80s rocker wig, jean jacket, baseball shirt with 3/4 sleeves and wear some torn jeans — bonus points if you can shred the guitar solo on Metallica's "Master of Puppets."

Hoosiers on TV: These popular shows are all set in Indiana. What's your favorite?

Corn

There's more than corn in Indiana, as the slogan goes. But still. There sure is a lot of it — Indiana corn production totaled 975 million bushels in 2022 and was the leading source of income for Indiana farmers the previous year, according to Purdue. An acre of the state's ubiquitous crop can put enough moisture in the air to fill a swimming pool.

What you'll need: A store-bought costume is probably the easiest way to achieve that "Indiana corn" look on short notice. If unavailable, try finding a sewing pattern at a crafts store or hit up your most creative relative who owns a sewing machine.

Going to a Halloween party with a friend? See if they'll dress as a werewolf. Together, you'll be a "corn dog" (that was a corny pun — thanks, I'll show myself out).

More: The best way to cook corn on the cob according to Food Network's Alex Guarnaschelli

Garfield, Jon & Odie

Marion-born Jim Davis grew up on an Indiana farm with a lot of cats. To help pass the time, his mother gave him pencils and paper and the young Davis learned how to draw. The comic-strip world is better off for it. Garfield was introduced to readers in 1978 and is syndicated presently in about 2,100 newspapers. At age 44, the orange tabby is still hating Mondays and loving lasagna from his home in Muncie.

What you'll need: Garfield costumes can be purchased online, but in a pinch, find an orange pair of sweatpants and matching sweatshirt. Black fabric from a craft store can be cut into stripes and hot-glued to the outfit. You can make a tail out of an old wire coat hanger and orange fabric. Not feeling crafty? Buy a stuffed Garfield toy and dress as his cartoon owner, Jon Arbuckle, using khaki pants and a blue sweater.

Great news for you Garfield-adoring fans: this year Halloween falls on a Tuesday.

Garfield after four decades: The nine lives of Indiana’s top cartoon cat

Race car driver

There are two ways to feel like an Indy 500 race car driver: Wear a jumpsuit and racing helmet on Halloween, or take a lap on I-465 any given morning ahead of work — the first one is safer, probably.

What you'll need: A jumpsuit with sponsor patches. If you can't snag a fancy helmet, grab a checkered flag, don a pair of aviator sunglasses or an Indy 500 ballcap. Don't have that last one? What, are you from Florida? Ask any Hoosier friend for one of their several commemorative race day hats. Then be sure to snag an Indy 500 ballcap of your own during next year's race.

More than a race: IndyStar's best photos from the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500

Raggedy Ann

Johnny Gruelle, a former Indianapolis Star cartoonist (cough, cough, bragging rights), is responsible for introducing children to Raggedy Ann thanks to his 1918 book, "Raggedy Ann Stories." His inspiration for the doll came partly from Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley, who wrote both "Raggedy Man" and "Little Orphant Annie" (yes, that's the correct spelling). Raggedy Ann was enshrined in the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2002.

What you'll need: A crazy amount of red yarn and the kind of aproned dress your great-grandmother would be gosh-darned proud of. Costumes for Raggedy Ann can be purchased online, but to get the look right, you'll want a powder-blue dress with white pantaloons, striped red and white socks, a white apron, and a mop of red hair that would make Ronald McDonald blush.

More: RetroIndy: How Raggedy Ann was born

Captain Kathryn Janeway

A lot of famous starship captains hail from the Midwest, apparently. Captain James T. Kirk has a statue in his fictional hometown (Riverside, Iowa). So too does Captain Kathryn Janeway of TV series "Star Trek: Voyager." Her May 20, 2336, birthdate in Bloomington was reason enough for fans to dedicate a statue there in her honor. It doesn't hurt that Jeri Taylor, a writer on the show, also is a Bloomington native and Indiana University graduate.

What you'll need: A red Starfleet command uniform issued by the United Federation of Planets following years of intense study at Starfleet Academy in San Francisco. Good luck, cadet! Or, you know, you could just buy one online. If time or money is a factor, purchase a Starfleet pin instead and wear your normal clothes. Sure, you're out of uniform, but it's only because you're an undercover time-traveler from Starfleet and it's imperative you don't blow your cover this Halloween. Something, something, "prime directive."

More: Monument to Captain Janeway will join Star Trek connections in Bloomington

John Tufts covers evening breaking and trending news for the Indianapolis Star. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: From Sammy Terry to Garfield: Halloween costume ideas from Indiana