MINNEAPOLIS — For 22 years, Guinevere and Mark Lazarchic have spooked their neighborhood with a massive haunted house display.
Normally around this time of year, they'd start decorating their house on the corner of Lowry Avenue and Johnson Street with ghouls, clowns and skeletons. But this year, they decided against putting up their decorations, leaving only a vegetable garden in their front yard.
"Part of me is a little bit relieved that when I'm up in the morning before everyone else, I'm not constantly getting startled by the shadow of the figures in the yard," joked Guinevere.
Guinevere and Mark said they loved the one day each year that families wandered through their yard, getting spooked by the creepy decorations.
"There's a lot of people in Minneapolis that can't afford to go to a haunted house," said Lazarchic. "And we put on something that everyone can come to for free."
But costs piled up, there were complaints about traffic and the crew that helped them wasn't available this year.
"We just can't do it on our own," said Guinevere.
"I'm devastated," said Lauren Perez, a neighbor. "It brings so many kids to the neighborhood. It's such a shame because it’s something that brings so much joy."
After publicly announcing its closure, Guinevere and Mark Lazarchic received what they describe as an outpouring of support.
"People are offering to volunteer and come help set up, donate," said Mark.
"It feels incredible," said Guinevere.
Mark said he was ready to sell all of the displays, but said he'll hang onto them for a possibility of doing it next year.
They don't believe they can pull it off this Halloween unless a business sponsors them.
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