Patch Scare Tour: Somerset County’s Best Halloween Yard Displays

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Once the summer wind gets replaced by that cold twinge that welcomes in the fall, some homeowners start thinking about how to turn their yards into the spookiest and scariest displays they can for the Halloween season.

Now since we are getting close to All Hallow’s Eve, Patch is looking to highlight some of the scariest and most intricate displays around the state, and four of them just happened to be in the Somerset County area.

If you have an incredible Halloween yard display that you would like to share, feel free to email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com with a photo along with your address and a description of your presentation.

If you go and check out these displays, make sure you keep it respectful by not littering or going too late or making a lot of noise as these are located in neighborhoods.

With that being said, here are four displays to check out in the Somerset County area.

(Photo courtesy of R Michael Palan)

Witch's Way
551 Alletra Ave., Bridgewater

Filled with whimsical decorations, this display is kid friendly. The witches, arbor, fence and trees are all made from trees and branches from Palan's yard, with contributions from a few of their neighbors. The lights will be on now through Halloween from 6 to 11 p.m.

(Photo courtesy of Joe Schonwit)

Bound Brook CarnEvil
577 Mountain Ave., Bound Brook

The small-scale circus display has been built over the past few years each Halloween in the front yard, and each year it grows bigger. Joe and Bonnie Schonwit were featured on News 12 last October and have their own Facebook page which is updated frequently and has a decent following. "We love having visitors out to see our Psycho Circus."

(Photo courtesy of Kim and Ambrose Dunn-Meynell)

17 Berkshire Drive, Warren

The main attractions are the giant spider and the sandworm from Beetlejuice. Plus the house has a graveyard that is pretty creepy. Treats, such as Hershey's and Utz pretzels, will be handed out on Halloween from noon to 9 p.m.

(Photo courtesy of Amanda Garcia)

The Garcia Family’s Halloween Display
46 Farm Rd. Apt. 37, Hillsborough

The display has a huge werewolf, a towering pumpkin man, a weeping bride, a floating witch over a barrel of fire, a dark wizard who will speak to you when you approach it, lots of colored lights, and much more. The display will be on 24/7 until Nov. 1. But it's best to see the display at night - when all the lights are on(from 6:30 p.m. to midnight). The family will also be handing out goodie bags filled with a variety of candies and little Halloween toys/Knick-knacks.

(Photo by Alexis Tarrazi)

13 Skeletons
948 Route 202/206, Bridgewater

There is a drive-by display viewed from your car. No ticket required. See Professor James O’Lantern – 13 Skeletons arrive to the outskirts of town and set up camp and perform their balancing acts. Watch each day as they prepare for their gold mining adventure. Nighttime will include musical projections of singing pumpkins and skeletons.

There is also a Professor James O’Lantern and his crew "Reverse the Curse" show in the old gold mining town of Adams Creek. This will include a Rube Goldberg-inspired machine along with displays and facades. For more information or tickets visit 13skeletons.com.

(Photo courtesy of James Thomson)

The Skeleton House
281 Chestnut St., Bound Brook

The Thomsons have been decorating their home for Halloween for the past 5 years. They call it 31 Skeletons. The idea was they would put out a skeleton each day of October so by Halloween they have 31 skeletons outside. They have a blog they update every time a new skeleton appears at 31skeletons.com. On Halloween, each trick or treater gets candy as well as a little skeleton souvenir.

(Photo courtesy of Robin McCarthy)

105 Berwick St., Raritan

What is really unique about the yard decorations is the Jack O' Lantern display with more than 10 on the lawn. The number increases as Halloween approaches. Every couple of days, the designs of the pumpkins are rotated.

(Photo courtesy of Glenn and Donna Kaestner)

Roosevelt Hills Cemetery
1610 Roosevelt Ave., Manville

This year marks their 6th annual Halloween display which will run on Oct. 29 to 31. They are taking donations for two events - flood victims of Manville and pet shelter donations. For more information visit facebook.com/Roosevelt-Hills-Cemetery or youtube.com.

(Photo courtesy of Amanda Keller)

Kellers Incredible Halloween Yard
227 West Summit St., Somerville

Tom Keller and family have been scaring their neighborhood for the last 16 years. A meticulous collection of gory items is scattered amongst goolishly frightening animatronics which frightens even the bravest adults. Can trick-or-treaters make it to the front door or test their luck next year?

(Photo courtesy of Amanda Cusati)

Creepy Carnival
30 North Gaston Ave., Raritan

The Creepy Carnival walkthrough is accessible after the sun sets on Halloween. Amanda Cusati started it last year. "We wanted to do a little extra for the kids because there weren’t as many houses participating in Trick-Or-Treating due to COVID."

(Photo courtesy of John and Linda Sibilia)

Ghastly Graveyard
79 Marie Ave., Bridgewater

The lights are synced to scary music. They built many of the larger creatures. They also put out 6 live-sized creatures on Halloween night, all of which are motion or sound-activated. "Our thought has always been to create an experience for our neighborhood kids."

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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