L
as Vegas is buzzing with Halloween energy, and the city’s neighborhoods are turning into living, breathing scare‑tactics. From skeletal statues to ghostly apparitions, the streets are a showcase of local creativity and community spirit.
**Plum Hollow – Anthem Country Club**
In the gated enclave of Plum Hollow, Carmen Benedict has called home for more than two decades. Together with four neighbors, she has turned their quiet cul‑de‑sac into a yearly Halloween pilgrimage that draws thousands of trick‑or‑treaters. “We want to create an atmosphere, not a perfect replica,” Benedict says. Each year a new theme is chosen, and everyone contributes their own twist. The event is a secret until the day it unfolds, keeping the mystery alive.
The decorations are assembled on Halloween morning and are ready for the first visitors. The show runs until 9 p.m., after which the set is dismantled overnight. “We’re up at 6 a.m. and work until 3 p.m. By 9:30, the lights are out,” Benedict explains. The neighborhood has hosted pirate coves, Western ghost towns, circus tents, haunted weddings, disco‑era nights, and even a Tiki‑house of terror. A mechanical bull once roamed the cul‑de‑sac, entertaining everyone from toddlers to grandparents.
One of Benedict’s favorite displays was a Day of the Dead tribute. The community coordinated a unified color scheme and hung bright paper lanterns, creating a cohesive, colorful atmosphere. The altar featured photos, candles, and skulls, all stacked on velvet‑lined cardboard boxes. The wedding theme was another highlight: each house represented a different wedding segment, culminating in a skeleton bride and groom exchanging vows in front of a crowd of skeletal guests.
Over the past twenty years, the group has accumulated a library of props that are repurposed annually. “Someone stores the rats, someone else the lights,” Benedict laughs. While the trick‑or‑treaters stream through, the neighbors discuss the next year’s concept, fueling the cycle of creativity. Even after a few houses changed ownership, the new residents embraced the tradition, adding fresh energy to the long‑standing celebration.
**Northside Massacre – A Tiny Yard, A Big Impact**
On the north side, a couple has turned a modest 8‑by‑10‑foot plot into a chilling homage to the classic horror film “Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” Shay Kwasneski and Bryan Belch have recreated Leatherface’s menacing scene with an authentic costume, a red doorway, and a chainsaw in hand. A victim lies sprawled on the floor, while a retro TV loops ‘70s music videos. Sensors trigger lights to dim, a warning graphic appears, and the chainsaw’s roar fills the air. Grandpa Sawyer, another character from the movie, sits in a chair with a bucket of “bloody” liquid, adding to the tension.
The couple conducts a temperature check with neighbors to ensure the display is thrilling but not terrifying. Their neighbors love the show, and the couple is grateful for the supportive community. Kwasneski, who works for the Clark County Department of Environment and Sustainability, emphasizes sustainability. She scours thrift stores, second‑hand shops, and online marketplaces for period‑accurate props, aiming to keep the project affordable and eco‑friendly. Belch, an HVAC technician, builds the animatronics from recycled materials—electrical piping, aluminum, pool noodles, and motors—then programs the scene with a smart device and computerized relays. The system is flexible, allowing quick adjustments and the addition of shorter scenes throughout the season.
This is the fifth themed display the couple has produced since 2020. Their first project, a Michael Myers scene from “Halloween,” was created during the pandemic to lift neighborhood spirits. Since then, they’ve expanded their repertoire, drawing on their love of ’70s and ’80s horror. After Halloween, the set transforms into a Christmas display, earning a nomination among the top three best holiday shows last year.
Both Plum Hollow and the Northside Massacre illustrate how Las Vegas residents turn ordinary yards into extraordinary experiences. Through collaboration, creativity, and a touch of sustainability, they keep the Halloween spirit alive and thriving in the city.
