Horror prop makers Dave and Aubrey Appel go all out for Halloween each year.
But this year’s display went mega-viral.
The Appels decided to add something new this year to commemorate the latest season of “Stranger Things.”
“We just decided that this year, while we were watching the new season of ‘Stranger Things,’… I’m like, ‘I believe we can do this whole set in pool noodles,'” David told ‘Good Morning America.’
The exhibit shows a mannequin made to look like the character Maxine “Max” Mayfield floating in mid-air.
Many were in awe wondering how the effect was done.
While they kept it secret for a while, the Appels later revealed that the floating “Max” is attached with some clear wire to a nearby light pole.
The massive exhibit also features scenes from “Pet Sematary,” “Beetlejuice,” “Predator,” “Arachnophobia” and “The Ring.”
A TikTok video of the display got more than 14 million views.
That lead to hoards of people coming to see the Plainfield, Illinois display. David said that about 1,500 people visit the display each night.
“It’s families,” Dave Appel told Shaw Local.. “It’s young kids. It’s older adults. It’s anyone who loves Halloween.”
The display can be visited at any time but there are specific time frames when the special effects are turned on.
“We are not exactly sure when this weekend, but we have some cool things in store,” Audrey Appel said. “We are asking people to wear their costumes this weekend.”
The Appels said they asked their neighbors for permission to put up the display and their neighbors were OK with it.
However, the neighbors began to complain.
“Everyone seemed okay with it until they weren’t,” Aubrey told Fox 8 Live. “It’s upsetting. To be told like … ‘we support you. We’re behind you. We understand why you’re doing this.’ And to have that blow up in your face.”
The news outlet speculated that the large crowds and increased traffic is what turned the neighbors off who later said that the display was bringing negative attention to the neighborhood.
They also said it endangered the community’s children and made the neighborhood a target for potential home invasions.
But not everyone in the neighborhood agreed. Still, the Appels were forced to shut down their display temporarily.
The exhibit later reopened.
Police said they have assigned officers to the area to make sure things are safe. Things have reportedly gone smoothly and there have been no further issues with the display from the police department’s perspective.
“That’s what makes us want to continue doing that, is making the kids happy,” said Aubrey Appel.
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