In Billings, two families have made Halloween a major community event by converting their yards into elaborate haunted attractions. Chris Wilson, 45, and his mother Pat, 68, have spent between $8,000 and $15,000 over the years to create “Wilson’s Haunted Manor” at 4530 Electric Avenue, just behind ZooMontana. Their display now features roughly 180 decorations, including 50 to 55 large animatronics, and takes six weeks to set up each fall.
Local dedication and growing crowds
“We didn’t want it to look like we just puked Halloween on somebody’s lawn,” Wilson said. “We wanted different scenes so there are different areas to look at.” The effort paid off when the Wilson home won first place in the Billings Halloween Decorating Contest last year, and the family reports that visitor traffic has tripled this season.
Across town on Caroline Street in the Heights, Art Barraza and his family have built a similarly impressive display. Their yard now includes a haunted walkthrough and a garage‑converted haunted house, drawing dozens of families each evening. Barraza estimates his family has spent $10,000 to $15,000 on decorations over the past decade, not counting the $1,000 worth of candy they hand out each year.
Family pride and community impact
Both families say the displays are more than a hobby; they are a way to give back to the community. “The kids take pride in helping create an experience for other families,” Barraza explained. “It’s a fun, prideful thing to get back to the community in a weird way.” Wilson echoed that sentiment, noting how often parents return to see new scares and how children eagerly point out their favorite props.
Local residents have responded positively, with many families visiting multiple times throughout the night. One visitor told Wilson that her children had been drawn back to the display five times in a single evening, a testament to the lasting appeal of the effort.
National context, local flavor
The National Retail Federation projects that Americans will spend $13.5 billion on Halloween in 2026, with $4.3 billion expected for decorations—nearly matching the $4.4 billion forecast for costumes. The federation’s 2026 Halloween Consumer Survey also found that 42 % of Americans plan to decorate their homes or yards, and overall participation is projected to rise to 74 % from 68 % in 2019.
While those figures illustrate a nationwide surge in Halloween enthusiasm, the Wilson and Barraza families demonstrate how the trend translates into tangible community experiences in Billings. Their displays provide safe, family‑friendly entertainment that encourages neighbors to gather, walk together, and share in the seasonal spirit.
Looking ahead
Both families are already planning next year’s expansions. Pat Wilson hinted at using an adjacent field for additional scenes, while Barraza said his family will continue to grow the haunted walkthrough and possibly add new interactive elements.
As Halloween continues to rival Christmas in terms of community involvement and spending, Billings residents can look forward to even larger, more creative displays that celebrate family, faith, and the joy of shared traditions.
Original reporting: KTVQ Q2 Billings (local) — read the source article.
