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.”
@horrorprops Maximum Overload, Our Halloween day count down! Be ready for more Max then you’ve ever seen this week Thank you @precisionsocial for the amazing footage of our display at night! Literally couldn’t have made this without you! #FomotionalFinds #max #halloween #daveandaubrey #fyp #fypシ #halloweendisplay #chicagohauntbuilders #strangerthingshouse #viral #spookytok #drone #horrorprops #strangerthings4 #vecna #vecnacurse #katebush ♬ Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) [2018 Remaster] – Kate Bush
“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.
@horrorprops The Reveal. Why? Because it’s still better in person. HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE, WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON! #horrorprops #thereveal #daveandaubrey #fyp #bluetick #halloween #transworldhauntshow #strangerthings #strangerthings4 #maxmayfield #OverwatchMe #diy ♬ 2001 A Space Odyssey (Main Title) [Also sprach Zarathustra] – London Symphony Orchestra & Stanley Black
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.”
@horrorprops The Eddie Munson Guitar! We could not have finished any sooner without the help of Jake, Jon and Andy! This project took the longest! We wanted to show you every step of the way, as we finish up our Haunt builds for the year.. This was the last and FINAL PIECE! our tribue to Eddie Munson!!! #eddiemunson #eddiesmunsoncult #strangerthings #halloweendiy #buildersoftiktok #daveandaubrey #DidYouYawn #fyp #fypシ #metallica #masterofpuppets ♬ Master of Puppets – Metallica
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.”
@horrorprops MidnightStudioFX created our favorite prop!!! He lives in our house and has been named Fred. @halloweenhollywoodmuseum We will see you at Transworld 2023!! #demogorgon #strangerthings #strangerthingsedit #alien #eggs #horror #halloweenathome #spook #hauntedhouse #fyp #fypシ #trending #halloweenlook #daveandaubrey #horrorprops #floatingmax ♬ The Cenobites – Christopher Young
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.
@horrorprops Dear Billy… #halloweenprops #strangerthings #diyproject #CHB #halloweendiydecor #vecnascurse #horrorprops #infestedoaks #spookytok #fyp #diyhalloween #transworldhauntshow #halloween2022 #upsidedown #horrortok #strangerthings4 #vans ♬ This Is a Work of Art (Sketchy) – Dubskie
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.
@horrorprops Sunday Funday with Horrorprops! #sundayfunday #sunday #strangerthingshouse #strangerthings #floatingmax #foryoupage #fyp #horrortok #strangerthings4 #transworldhauntshow #daveandaubrey ♬ Tchaikovsky: Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairy (From The Nutcracker Suite) – Dreamscape Cinema Orchestra
“That’s what makes us want to continue doing that, is making the kids happy,” said Aubrey Appel.
Learn more about this story in the video below.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
