It's that time again: We're continuing our trek to discover the hottest Halloween costumes across the country. We've dished on the Pacific Northwest and the Midwest. This time, we're visiting the Northeast -- Halloween Costume World in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, to be specific.

During the scare season, this fantastically frightening shop not only meets the area's costume needs but plays host to a super-duper 17-room haunted house. Owner Jack Hoover just made some updates to the haunted attraction and let's just say we wish our offices were further east so we could get our scream on. The updated house features a new 3-D vortex portal, a cemetery room, a mad scientist's office, and quite a few terrifyingly insane characters -- not to mention a number of live actors in  all manner of Halloween garb waiting for a shot to make you scream. Though parents have to decide whether to bring their kids through, Hoover's witnessed quite a few cases of kids who love every horrifying moment, while "some grown-ups don't make it all the way through."

Okay, now onto the costumes.

Boy Stuff:

• The Dark Knight's Joker is -- at Hoover's shop and the others we surveyed -- quite the popular costume for little boys. Hoover, who last year dressed as a dapper vampire with costume pieces and accessories from his rental inventory, this year might disguise himself as the Joker, too, and plans to take plenty of care getting the makeup just right.
• The new Indiana Jones movie brought that character back in a whip-cracking way, as Indy hats, whips and costumes are flying from Hoover's shelf.
• Star Wars just doesn't quit. Said Hoover, "Darth Vader will be here forever."
• As for more classic boy costumes, pirates remain hot, as do classic movie monsters like mummies and vampires.
• Sickles also continue to be a must-have spooky accessory, as many young boys can't resist the call of a creepy Grim Reaper costume.

Girl Stuff:

• Hannah Montana rules the Billboard charts and -- apparently -- the costume store shelves. Hannah get-ups, along with headsets and microphones are in demand at Hoover's store.
• Fairies of all stripes (or maybe sparkles?) are a draw this year, with girls wanting to be Tinker Bell or a sprite of their own creation. Glitter and wings are hot must-haves for this magical ensemble.
• It's cackling time. Witches never go out of style, and when little girls want a witch costume, they want to go classic. Hoover said that traditional witches rule the day (or night) as little girls choose dark hoods and capes, green makeup and pointy black hats over some of the more colorful witch costumes he has in stock.

Family Costumes:

• Hoover brought up something interesting: The Wizard of Oz characters remain popular choices but typically he sees them worn as a family costume with different relatives playing different parts. His store even carries Flying Monkey costumes for those who want to be the scariest being in Oz.

Baby Stuff:

• Babies always do the "cutesy stuff,like teddy bears, kitty cats, and little bats," Hoover said. Popular costumes include a Pea in a Pod and an Oatmeal Teddy Bear.

Many thanks to Mr. Hoover from taking time from his busy Halloween haunting and costuming schedule to speak with us. You can find out more about his store (or order supplies online) and the haunted house at the Halloween Costume World website.

In the comments, tell us what your kid is being for Halloween and where you live!