Turn That Costume Into Cash

Okay, so this year, you're positive you've created the best costume ever. You spent hours finding just the right pieces, and now you look down with pity and scorn at the folks wandering through Georgetown in their George Bush masks or endless variations on "sexy cop" or "sexy angel."

You deserve a reward.

Most of the Halloween parties taking place this weekend (and next Wednesday) will have costume contests, but some prizes are better than others. Here's where you can really win big:

Freek-O-Ween: Hot 99.5's party at Fur, hosted by hip-hop twins Nina Sky, has a $5,000 prize.

Haunted Halloween Graveyard Jam: A weekend trip to Iceland is the reward for the best costume at Things to Do D.C.'s gathering at the Hard Rock Cafe, and prizes will also be awarded in categories like Scariest, Prettiest and Most Original.

Nightmare on M Street: Thirteen bars are participating in the downtown crawl, but the midnight costume contest is taking place at Five. The club is handing out $1,000 in prizes: $500 in cash for the winner, $200 for second place, a $200 bar tab for third place and a $100 bar tab for the runner-up.

Buzz: Costumes are crazy at Buzz's annual contest, and there's $500 in cash each for the best outfits.

Spank Spooktacular Halloween Bash: Your costume has to impress WPGC DJ Big Tigger if you want to win the $500 top prize. Runners-up get bottles of champagne. (And everyone drinks for free for three hours!)

Union Jack's: The Bethesda pub is holding two parties -- on Saturday and again on Wednesday -- so you have an extra chance to win $500 in the Best, Scariest and Sexiest categories.

Fright Night: A $300 grand prize and two local cover bands await at Ballston's Front Page.

--Fritz