Patch's 2020 Guide To The Area's Best Halloween Yards

WILMINGTON, MA — Earlier this month, Patch asked readers for their help putting together a tour of the area's best Halloween Yard displays.

And you delivered, with impressive yards in the Merrimack Valley and Middlesex County. Now your neighbors will know where to find the spookiest haunted yards around.

A few simple rules to keep in mind first:

GET ON THE LIST: Patch's is a friendly list. We LOVE reader submissions, so we'll be updating the list until Halloween. And we're not picky about where you live — just because your town isn't on the list yet doesn't mean we don't want to see your display. So tell us why your yard haunt is special and send your pictures to chris.huffaker@patch.com. (Read more about getting on the list.)

BE RESPECTFUL: Don't yell, scream, honk your horn or litter. Please be respectful of people's neighbors. We think 10 p.m. is a reasonable time to stop looking at houses on weeknights, and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

COVID-19 RULES: Remember, there is still a pandemic out there. Some of our contributors have instilled COVID-19 rules. We strongly encourage wearing a face mask (or having one handy) and practicing social distancing. Bring hand sanitizer. Don't argue with the hosts if they ask you to put on a PPE mask. If you don't feel well, stay home. #SaveHalloween2020.

750 Main Street, Woburn MA: Woburn's Annamarie Fagnani is new to haunted lawn decorating this year but very pleased with the results of her first attempt. Her property is on Main Street and has a sidewalk. It's best viewed from across the street, where there is space for social distancing and side street parking, Fagnani said.

The lights are on every night from 5:45 p.m. to 10 p.m., though potential viewers are welcome to request specific times if their schedules don't fit the standard hours. There is no turnaround or driveway access and all viewers are asked to follow mask and social distancing rules.

"We do not provide walk through or permit anyone on the property unless leaving donations," Fagnani said. "I happily accept canned goods, women’s clothing, and diaper donations to contribute to Healing Abuse Working For Change in Salem, in support with The 2x National Champions, The Boston Renegades Women’s Football Team. Belts, hats, scarfs, curtains, towels, aprons, Men’s clothing, shoes/sneakers, will be donated to Second Chances."

Anyone donating must wear masks while on the property. Donations can be left on the grass between the tree and the coffin out front. Items should be separated into plastic bags no larger than 20 gallons.

"My haunt is special to me because it’s my first here in Woburn and it helps to display the services my “Get Lit!” holiday light decorating business provides," Fagnani said. Her company: https://www.getlitbyhandyann.com/ or Get Lit by Handy Ann on Facebook.

16 Hurd Ave, Saugus MA: Kym Coogan of Saugus had her home decorated by her friend, Annamarie Fagnani, also known as Penny, of Get Lit By Handy Ann.

"I told her I was very particular because decorating my home means something to me," Coogan said. I now live in a family home that was owned by my grandparents and built by my great grandfather. My grandmother and I used to put up her decorations together when I was a child. It is one of my happiest memories."

Fagnani used Coogan's decorations, she said.

"My grandparents decorated their home for all occasions and have been in paper because of it, with their store bought and homemade decorations," Coogan added. "Certain families trick or treat at my home so they can take pictures of their children every year in front of my decorations. So, Penny took that under extreme consideration while decorating my home."

21 Brentham Road, North Billerica — The JoyLess FunHouse: Katelyn Joy hand-builds and draws almost every part of her display, which she described as "something for all ages, from only a little spooky to terrifying, with a little bit of humor." She welcomes people to come check it out from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. every evening until Halloween.

"Then we rip it all down and start Christmas," Joy said.

8 Wildwood Road, Tewksbury: Sharon Crowley of Tewksbury welcomes residents to drive by her home and see the Halloween display, which features, among other things, a skeleton wedding.

51 Highland Ave., Tewksbury: Tewksbury's Jesseca Blanco and her husband create a haunted house in their backyard every year. They're in their fourth year of doing so and plan to eventually buy land and build a permanent haunted house.

"Halloween is special for us because it's our dating anniversary, and my husband proposed while we were working on the haunted house 3 years ago," Blanco said. "This is our time to shine!"

Family and friends join them annually to build and decorate, while the neighborhood kids love to walk through on Halloween. The haunted house will not be ready until Oct. 30, this year, because of the pandemic, Blanco said.

"We will also only let one group in at a time to practice social distancing and there will be hand sanitizer at the entrance and exit," she added. "We hope to scare everyone there!"

203 Wildwood Street, Wilmington — The Ghoulgenheim: Wilmington's Tim MacLean is in his 3rd year with a large display. He welcomes people to come see it from 8 a.m. until midnight, but he asks that people follow common sense social distancing from the sidewalk or street. No walkthroughs or door-knocking. "It's fun and scary, but not too gory," MacLean said of his display.

_{(Tim MacLean)(Tim MacLean)}

15 Pond View Lane, Tewksbury: Tewksbury's Kim Gee welcomed people to drive by and see her yard, which includes a 10-foot-tall Oogie Boogie, among other highlights.

"My yard looks cool during the day but better at night," Gee said. "I just ask that people be cautious about the kids in my neighborhood as they sometimes are playing in street."

Thornton Street, Woburn: Woburn's Paul Scanlon decorates his yard as a warmup for Christmas, when he has over 20 inflatables as well as lights. But he welcomes visitors to his Halloween display, which is best seen from dusk to 10 p.m., he said.

3 Arbor Lane, Woburn — "Ghost Town": Woburn's Jennifer and Bill Pimental have been adding to their Halloween display for five years, and love when people come see it. They keep the lights on from dusk until 9 p.m. The photo "doesn't really do it justice," Jennifer said.

"We love to see folks enjoying the decorations as much as we do, and we look forward to seeing everyone on Halloween!" she said.

12 Beverly Ave., Wilmington: Wilmington's Thomas Ashford has an extensive graveyard with hanging ghouls and lights.

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883 Main Street, Wilmington, MA: Sara Skelskie of Wilmington has Halloween inflatables out front. Skelkie asked viewers not to get out of their cars, but said the display is good to drive by.

GET ON THE LIST: Patch's is a friendly list. We LOVE reader submissions, so we'll be updating the list until Halloween. And we're not picky about where you live — just because your town isn't on the list yet doesn't mean we don't want to see your display. So tell us why your yard haunt is special and send your pictures to chris.huffaker@patch.com. (Read more about getting on the list.)