Bloomfield, N.J. – The annual Halloween haunted attraction on Lakeside Avenue has once again become a popular fall tradition, drawing thousands of families to the property at 226 Lakeside Avenue during the two weeks leading up to Halloween.
Created and maintained by local resident James Joanow with the help of friends and volunteers, the display stretches from the side yard to the back of the home and features animated figures, themed sets and a series of “catacombs” that Joanow says “kids go crazy when they come here because they see things you don’t see at most decoration sites.” He adds, “We love doing it. We plan in late July and we decorate right up to Halloween night.”
Community response
While the attraction has become a beloved seasonal event for many Bloomfield families, it has also generated a handful of complaints. Joanow told reporters that a resident placed nails in his driveway, causing a flat tire on his car. He also said police officers visited the site after receiving about a dozen anonymous complaints about excessive foot traffic and noise.
According to Joanow, the officers were “very respectful” and reminded him that the display is permitted to operate between 6:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. under the town’s ordinance. “They told me there’s a dozen anonymous complaints. Just about too many people walking around and the noise here. So they had to do something about the complaints. I guess that’s what their version of doing something was. But we stayed open till 10 because that’s what ordinance allows us to do,” he said.
Hours and future plans
Joanow noted that the attraction will remain open through Halloween night, after which it will be taken down. “It all comes down Halloween night after 10 o’clock. Usually, we start at 11 o’clock at night at which we take it all down. We stay out till 3 or 4 in the morning,” he explained. He added that the display is scheduled to be dismantled after the holiday.
The community continues to weigh the benefits of a festive, family‑friendly event against concerns about noise and safety. Local officials have not indicated any intention to change the existing ordinance, leaving the decision about future operating hours to the town’s standard regulations.
Looking ahead
As the holiday season approaches, Bloomfield residents can expect the Lakeside Avenue haunted house to remain a focal point for Halloween celebrations, while town leaders and neighbors monitor the balance between tradition and neighborhood tranquility.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
