Halloween is fast approaching, and on Saddleridge Drive in West Kelowna, the Lauridsen family set out on a mission to light up their neighborhood.
Homeowners Denay and Joel Lauridsen, who moved to West Kelowna from Saskatchewan in 2015, say having the weather warm enough to party outside in October was an exciting prospect.
They started by just decorating the entrance where they could shelter from the wind and cold before Joel made it his mission to fully decorate the house and work 15 hour weekend days to make this possible.
“This year it became my husband’s project and passion, and every year it grows from there,” says Denay.
“He just loves it. He’s doing it for the kids, he’s doing it for the neighborhood, he’s doing it for our kids, of course himself. He’s probably been out here since mid-September, getting ready.”
She estimates thousands of dollars have been spent on Halloween decorations over the years, but says her husband always makes sure he gets a good deal.
“He’s going to be in the clearance department by November 1st, buying all of the Halloween stuff for next year.”
Neighborhood kids love the display as much as their own, says Lauridsen, and the feedback from the neighbors has been very encouraging.
“When we get cars that drive by with children, they all hang out of their windows [yelling] “That’s great, trick or treat,” something like that. Even we get neighbors walking by and they recently told him that you bring so much joy to our neighborhood by doing things like this. That’s what keeps it going. It was really good this year to hear that everyone is feeling this joy, especially in an interesting year.
Lauridsen says they will be celebrating Halloween this year but plan to do so in a safe, COVID-19 friendly way.
“We’re planning on having candy. I don’t yet know exactly what that looks like. I know that Joel will definitely be out here in his full gear and even if he has it, if he throws it, if he holds tongs and gloves, I’m not sure, but we’ll try to do something for sure. ”
If not, families are happy to take a walk or drive by and enjoy the decorations from afar, says Lauridsen.
The decorations on 2574 Saddleridge Drive will remain in place until shortly after Halloween weekend.
