Bellmore-Merrick gets haunted for Halloween

Posted

Homes across Bellmore and Merrick have become a spook-tacular sight as residents set up decorative displays ahead of All Hallows’ Eve.

To get into the Halloween spirit, many scare-loving homeowners followed a theme when creating their creepy creations. For example, North Bellmore resident Samuel Pizarro set up a “Jack-O’-Lantern Factory” in his front yard, and fellow Bellmorite Felicia Romeo turned her front lawn into the “Bellmore Cemetery.”

In Merrick, Gwendolynn Massie and her family began decorating for Halloween at the end of August. “We enjoy the busy work inside the house, and the children in the neighborhood seem to enjoy our final product,” she said. “It seemed like a happy, ‘normal’ activity that had merit during these unusual times; therefore, we continued the tradition.”

On Bayview Avenue, in Merrick, Mike Becak’s display features 13 hand-carved pumpkins floating on the front lawn, a giant spider web, several 10-foot ghosts, a skeleton hearse driver and three Grim Reapers that scare anyone who passes by.

Every Halloween, crowds flock to 1324 N. Pierce Avenue in North Bellmore to visit the Falcon family’s “Halloween Yard Hunt,” which has been spooking residents for the past 10 years.

“The other night there was a line up the sidewalk,” Billy Falcon said. “We started slowly creeping [decorations] out in September, and a lot of it’s handmade.”

On the weekends, Billy gets dressed up in costume to blend into the yard, which is full of many recognizable characters like Pennywise, the Sanderson Sisters, Jigsaw and Jason.