West Hartford residents seem to have gone all out decorating for Halloween in 2024 – far beyond ordinary jack-o-lanterns or inflatables.

By Ronni Newton

In 2023, many of the 12-foot-tall skeletons – “aka skellys” – popped up around town, looming over sidewalks. In 2024, not only are there more skellys but there are skeleton dogs, cats, and other creatures, along with other ultra-creative displays on the streets of West Hartford.

At the corner of Sedgwick Road and Four Mile, Ursula’s tentacles emerge from the windows of a home as part of a display that will stop passersby in their tracks.

Just up the road on Four Mile, realtor Lisa Campo has outdone herself this year with some new ghouls on her front lawn – including a lawn bowling skeleton, and several human participants recruited to “welcome” the bravest of the trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. Campo said she has been doing an elaborate Halloween display for “about 40 years.”

Across Sedgwick Road on Sulgrave – at a house re-numbered 9¾ – a skeleton erupts from the roof. There are bats circling the belfry, and skeleton chickens, flamingos, dogs, a horse, and other creatures. There is a giant spider, a grim reaper complete with an enormous scythe, a werewolf, and a cadre of spooky figures peering out of the windows.

If you peek down the driveway, however, you’ll see a friendly Santa Claus, ready to welcome the next season.

On Bainbridge, a scarecrow-oriented display dominates a home that welcomes visitors to stop by and linger on Halloween night. The homeowner, Rich Liburdi, said he started creating the skeletons in September. They have tables set up in the side yard and serve hot food – like chicken nuggets – and provide cold water to anyone needing a break from candy and trick-or-treating.

“People can hang out as long as they want,” Liburdi said. They went through about 250-300 pieces of chicken and water bottle last year. “This year we have 500,” he said.

The Liburdi’s display also includes benches and an assortment of seasonally-appropriate books – and he said people have stopped by to sit and read.

Among the creative displays in West Hartford, Matt Warshauer, a history professor at Central Connecticut State University, created what he said will be his last politically-themed Halloween display this fall. Click here for that story and photo gallery.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.