Last year, an artist named Steven Novak made headlines for his gruesome Halloween display which saw murdered mannequins littered across his front lawn in a realistic bloodbath.
The display was so gory it prompted several passersby to call the police after thinking they’d stumbled across an actual crime scene.
And even though he was visited by officers multiple times last year, Steven has vowed to put his decorations up once again at his home in Dallas, Texas – especially in light of the “rough” year many have faced.
Speaking to the Dallas Observer, he said: “This year has been rough for a lot of people. I think we can agree that this project is functioning as a pressure release valve.”
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Steven is even encouraging police to turn up to his house again this year.
He added: “All the cops that came out last year were an absolute gas. I welcome them to come out and take more selfies.”
The artist has said many of the fan-favourite decorations from last year will be make a reappearance in his upcoming display – but there will be plenty of new details on display too.
He explained: “Last year’s hits remain: the safe, ladder, chainsaw, Roof Guy and my girlfriend. Also the fake blood made of corn syrup on the sidewalk.
“But there are lots of new details; 55-gallon drums are now out by the curb filled up with the shredded party [of guests]. And I made the body parts this year by cutting up mannequins then filling them with skeleton parts and Great Stuff insulation foam.”
The centrepiece of his display this year is a refurbished wood chipper that spits out fake blood across his lawn and into a paddling pool covered in shredded mannequin remains.
He said of the new addition: “There are lots of new gimmicks to this year’s caper. The wood chipper blood fountain being the clear centrepiece and easily the most challenging prop. It took me months to find an old wood chipper for sale. The sellers were not pleased with its new purpose.”
And Steven is even being conscious about the environment with his display, as the woodchipper and fountain are set up in a way that doesn’t waste water.
He added: “It’s all powered by a submersible water pump inside the [kiddie] pool which then leads back to the wood chipper fountain. You can turn that pump on with your foot by pressing a hidden pedal switch.”
If that wasn’t enough to ensure the artist wins all the awards for best Halloween display, he’s also created an optical illusion with a second front door that makes it look like his house has been broken into by an axe-wielding maniac.
He said: “I bought a door, matched the house paint, smashed it, and mounted it to swing out on hinges.
“The real door to my house behind it, I then painted with a product called Black 3.0 that reflects very little light, so it almost looks invisible.”
Steven has spent a small fortune on his gory display this year, and is welcoming donations through his Venmo account, @stevenallennovak.
And despite the time and money it takes to set up the impressive scene, Steven is determined to go even bigger next year.
He said: “It’s been a tremendous amount of work and dough, but it’s worth it because people love it so much. People get as tickled looking at my massacre as they do looking at puppies! Next year’s gonna be nuts.”
