Halloween scene, 4 Third Ave. SW, Faribault. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo October 2022)
IN MY UNSCIENTIFIC OBSERVATIONS, I’ve noticed more Faribault yards decorated for Halloween in a big way this year than in the past. I realize this is the day after, but I expect many decorations will remain in place at least until the end of the week. Why not given all the time, effort and expense involved in creating scenes that mostly scare?
Recently I snapped photos of Halloween scenes in two yards, both up the hill from my house. Because of a locking zoom lens and camera failure (within weeks of one another), my photos are limited. Thus I encourage you, if you live locally, to drive by these residences for the full picture.
(Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo October 2022)
Skeletons and skulls seem to play big into this season’s Halloween décor. Maybe they always have. Whatever, they fit the fear factor.
(Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo October 2022)
A skeleton dressed as a clown multiplies the fear as he looms in a tree at 234 First Avenue Southwest. Clowns scare some people. Not me, although I remember not liking them as a kid.
(Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo October 2022)
The First Avenue yard features several over-sized skeletons. When I was there one evening attempting to photograph in the dark with my failing camera, the scene illuminated in green, eyes flashed, something made a creepy sound and fog rose. You’ll need to imagine that given the photos were promptly deleted.
Frankenstein intimidates. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo October 2022)
Skulls and graveyards and an assortment of scary fill this yard and the one at 4 Third Avenue Southwest across from the former Immaculate Conception Church. Perhaps most intimidating, though, is the life-sized Frankenstein outside the front door. If I was a kid, that would keep me from seeking candy at that house.
Graveyard at Third Ave. SW. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo October 2022)
All in all, these Halloween scenes show the giving spirit of the folks who live here. They obviously love Halloween and sharing their enthusiasm with the community.
TELL ME: Are there any particularly creative Halloween displays in neighborhoods where you live?
NOTE: I purchased a used Canon zoom lens and a used Canon EOS 60D on Saturday. The camera is an upgrade from the used 20Ds (I was on my fourth of the model) that I’ve used for a dozen years or more. I’m happy to have functioning camera equipment again. I appreciate the guidance I got from local photography teacher and creative Johnnie Walker and the excellent customer service from the good folks at National Camera Exchange in Golden Valley.
© Copyright 2022 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
these are great! I especially love the skeleton in the tree. I have noticed the same thing this year, with many more people going back to decorating and enjoying the holiday.
The clown skeleton in the tree is my favorite also.
I’m glad that you got your camera situation fixed! Great pics, Audrey. We have a few houses close by that do the holidays up big. It requires a lot of time, money and effort. I hung a fall wreath on my front door. 🙂
And I bet that autumn wreath on your door is seasonally lovely.
Yes, I’m thankful to now have a “new” used camera and lens. Being without was difficult.
Very Creative! I would love to decorate like this, however; it comes down to storing it all and not having the room or wanting to spend monies on a storage unit. There is one home in our area that has a full size death ferry and then a funeral carriage with a skeleton horse (again full size). I have seen lots of skeletons of all sizes this year and then the werewolf has been popular too. Knowing my luck I would walk up to this home and there would be a live person in that mummy or Frankenstein costume. Thanks for sharing – oh so much FUN! We had less than 30 kids last night getting their fruit snacks and chips (our house is a hit with the parents – healthy house). Happy Day – Happy November – Enjoy 🙂
Thanks for your Florida neighborhood report on Halloween decor. That funeral scene would prove a bit too much for me, I think.
Yes, the parents likely appreciate the healthy treats you dispersed at your door.
It certainly had me doing a double take of that scene in the homeowner’s front yard.
Our front door sits back a bit so to make it easier on the kids we open the garage door, set out a table for the treats, and then kick back to watch the action. The kid dressed as a banana was a favorite of mine last night – had me chuckling (he owned it and then some).
Sounds like you enjoyed Halloween as much as the kids did. I’d get a kick out of a banana also. Love the creativity.
I often wonder where people store all the decorations in their yards. So much fun , but where DO they put it all?
Good question. Welcome to Minnesota Prairie Roots!
Glad you managed to get some fun shots before your camera gave up completely! I just bought a new camera at National Camera Exchange, too! A Nikon Z50 kit with two lenses. The learning curve is steep, but I’m working on it. I was lucky to be able to trade in my old Nikon DSLR. This new one is mirrorless, so it much lighter. Anyway, we have our fire bowl in the driveway on Halloween – have for the past several years. Our family tradition is to carve pumpkins with our kids and their families on the closest weekend day to Halloween. Everyone ends up with great pumpkins to have on their doorstep. We give out treats, of course, including dog treats. Then we linger by the fire once the kids are done coming around. Last night, we had about 100 kids. I loved every minute.
Your Halloween traditions sound like great fun with wonderful memories made. I bet kids love coming to your house. We had four trick or treaters. We never get many, even though we live along a busy street. But there aren’t many kids in our neighborhood and there are so many community Halloween events.
Good luck with your new camera. I will be curious to hear how you like the mirrorless version. National Camera wouldn’t take any of my equipment in trade. Too old and too many issues. Who wants non-functioning camera equipment? My 20Ds served me well through the years. I really appreciate the excellent customer service at NCE, but really miss their Burnsville location, as I’m sure you miss their Roseville shop.
Yes I do miss the Roseville shop! So far, this camera seems like it will do everything I want.
That’s great to hear on the camera. The Roseville shop was certainly convenient for you, which was the same for me with Burnsville.
Congrats on the new camera. How exciting. Brevard is all about Halloween with a big festival on Saturday with a parade and more. Several popular trick or treat streets close off on Halloween and get up to 1000 trick or treaters which is a lot for our little town. It’s a fun time!
Wow, that sounds like a mega celebration.
Yes, I’m thankful to have a “new” used camera and lens.