Blame it on Twilight’s anemic dreamboat Edward. This year’s most popular Halloween costume is the vampire, according to the National Retail Federation. Translation: Under no circumstances should you rock fangs and a cape at Space City Mixer’s 8th Annual Ultimate Halloween Bash. The city’s largest organized costume party offers a whopping $1,000 cash prize for best costume, along with prizes in sub-categories like most elaborate, sexiest, and scariest. People take this competition seriously. Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas, Cartman from South Park, and Bender of Futurama have made appearance in recent years. Generic costumes are frowned upon, so also avoid witch’s brooms and pirates’ eye patches. And for the love of God, don’t come as Twilight’s Bella. Local dance band Cool-Ade performs. ERIKA HOBART

Sat., Oct. 31, 8 p.m., 2009