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The family had just moved into their beautiful new home at 294 West End Ave., in Ridgewood, and barely had any trick-or-treaters.
In an effort to "drum up some spirit," the family's patriarch Peter Maltin decided to get creative.
He started by sitting on the porch and scaring people. Then, over the years, he added decorations.
"That was the genesis to try to get more people here," the dad of three tells Daily Voice from his front yard as he sets up for this year's festivities.
Each year, Maltin' Halloween display got a little bit bigger. These days, it's known as the Ridgewood Halloween House, and Maltin has so many Halloween decorations he starts preparation and planning in March or April, and begins lugging the decorations down from the attic on Labor Day Weekend.
Oh, and the trick-or-treaters Maltin wanted back in 2016? He's got to pre-order his candy he has so many of them.
Last year, Maltin had between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors on his lawn. On Halloween night, Maltin estimates he had about 1,400 trick-or-treaters.
"I was in it for the candy growing up, but that was about it," Maltin said. "I've always had a creative side, and I work in finance, so this is my creative outlet."
The skeletons are everywhere. Some are having a barbecue — Maltin says the food is "killer." Some are on the porch in a three-piece rock band. Last year, Maltin called them "Bad to the Bone." This year, they're the "Dead Heads."
This year, Maltin has added a petting zoo to the mix.
Maltin has the giant "groundbreaking" skeleton from Costco that everyone wants. Maltin said he snagged his in July, right before they went out of stock. he also has a 12-foot animatronic grave digger and a massive skeleton looming over the scene right in front of his house.
That one stays up year-round, and makes it easy for delivery drivers to find the house and is fun to dress up for different holidays.
The neighbors don't complain, Maltin said. Lots of them come by and show support, bringing the Halloween spirit.
"I overdid it one year with the fog machine, though," Maltin said. "I got one complaint so I toned it down."
While Maltin works in finance, he doesn't count how much money he's poured into his Halloween display. And he doesn't want any donations.
The Ridgewood Halloween House is free, and will open for the season on Friday, Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. The display will be open Fridays and Saturdays leading up to Halloween from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
On Saturdays, a less-scary version will be open for youngsters from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Ridgewood Halloween House will also be open on Wednesday, Oct. 30 and Halloween, Oct. 31.
Maltin admits, he does enjoy scaring people. But he won't go out of his way to do it. The people who show up know what they're in for. "Muah-ha-ha-ha," Maltin said. Just kidding.
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