How we creeped out our neighborhood in 2021 (and made new friends along the way).
We here at Marinont Manor tend to be a little extra about Halloween.
We start decorating in mid-September, add a little here and there all the way up until “the night”, as we call it when we bring out the big boy decorations for trick or treat.
Quick History
My family and I started this tradition of a prop-filled trick or treat years ago and have amassed quite a collection over the years.
When Johnathon and I moved to Marimont Manor, we moved the operation here as he is almost as into Halloween as I am. And twice as handy with building stuff. And ten times as likely to climb onto the roof.
Setting the Stage
This year, it all started in mid-September with a little lighting, Pelvis Costello (above), and giant DIY spiderwebs.
I highly recommend making your own spiderwebs out of beef netting. If you keep the cuts very close together, the effect is so much better. We used the polyester netting from Trenton Mills and the 5-pound roll will last us for a few years. It’s a bargain, it’s easy and also a great opportunity to get caught up on my spooky October reads while I snip away.
The first one I did (below, left) gave me exactly the effect I wanted. I didn’t take my time with the second one (right) as I should have and ended up with too much positive space for my taste. So, pro-tip – take your time and make your cuts as close as possible. I promise the fabric can handle it.
More DIY Additions
I previously shared how I made my first DIY tombstone this year.
I’m never buying another tombstone again because this was so much fun and you can’t beat the ability to make whatever weirdness your heart desires. Both Jonathon and I quote “The Simpsons” to an unhealthy degree, so Grimey had to be the first tombstone we made.
Next year, new tombstones will include so many puns, as well as references to “Oregon Trail”, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Supernatural” and “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure”.
Johnathon also made a spooky tree from cardboard tubing, PVC pipe and A LOT of expanding foam. I got to dry brush it to give it depth and had a blast with it. I’m looking forward to making more props from scratch just so I can keep doing that.
After a few floating ghouls, a creepy cornfield and even more lighting, we were pretty well set for trick or treat.
“It’s showtime!”
On the day of “the night”, we bring out our dead and set them up in the driveway in a sort of U-shaped gauntlet. This allows for people to see most of our props as they come up to our table, get candy and exit on the other side.
This year, we added a Beetlejuice scene to go with the sandworm we got a couple of years ago because of course, we did.
Despite a power and lighting issue that I assure you will be sorted by next year, it was a big hit.
Mike was also a big hit, just like every year. Always the superstar, that one.
Record Turnout, Facing Fears and FaceTime with Somebody’s Mom
There were so many great things about this night that I can’t possibly do justice to them all, but I will share some cool stuff and memorable moments.
We had about 220 trick-or-treaters come through (not including parents and sightseers), or about double what we usually have. There was a tense 30 minutes or so when we thought we would run out of candy, but we were able to make a run for more and narrowly avoid a candy-fueled riot.
Those who came through included –
- kids and adults who say that they look forward to coming to our house every year
- kids who are too afraid to approach our house (in those cases, we shift to curbside delivery)
- Parents who walk behind their child and proudly whisper a variation of, “they were scared to come up last year.” This is one of my favorite things. It’s like graduation day, and there’s a sense of pride all around.
- people in the neighborhood who drove by all month and “just wanted to check it out”
- people from other neighborhoods who wanted to do the same
- a little girl who came through so many times admiring our props that her mother eventually came in to get her with, “look, you HAVE TO GO TO OTHER HOUSES.”
- a little boy who tried to come through again pretending to be a new trick-or-treater. When I busted him, he lowered his head, but I could still see a sheepish grin. I gave him a Milky Way for trying. Treats without tricks make for only half a holiday, after all.
However, my favorite moment came when a middle-aged woman came through holding up her phone and speaking as if she were narrating a video. I said hello and asked if she had any questions, and she said, “oh no, my mother can’t get out like she used to, so I have her on FaceTime so she can see your display.”
She then flipped her phone around to show us the older woman on the screen (to be honest, I could only really see her nose, glasses and ceiling fan). She started waving at us and saying hello and telling us that “this is so wonderful” and that we did such a great job.
Post-Halloween Depression and Countdown to Next Year
This is always the hard part. It’s like when the rooster crows at the end of “Danse Macabre”. The skeletons slowly return to their graves, and my monsters sleep for another year.
I know that we’re Halloween 365 over here, but October is a pretty damned magical month. Porches are all be-pumpkined, neighborhoods glitter spookily, stores carry gothy merchandise and, best of all, we can share our weird and people love to see it. For one month, we’re all mad here.
But, for now, I will reset until after Thanksgiving, when my “Nightmare Before Christmas” gear makes an appearance.
And, of course, continue to plan for next Halloween.
All This and a Slideshow, Too?
I created a slideshow project about our annual shindig for one of my classes. I think it turned out pretty well for having no clue what I was doing, but you’ll have to tell me what you think.
More Photos Than You Can Shake a Magic Wand At
Please enjoy some of the random photos from Marimont Manor Halloween 2021.
What Should We Do Next?
How did we do? What do you think we can do to take our display to a new level?
Did you have a display this year? How do you haunt your neighborhood for Halloween?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments!