Florida man's Halloween display grows from hay bales to 5,000 sq ft in 7 years

A modest seasonal display has grown into one of the more elaborate Halloween attractions in an Orange Park neighbourhood, bringing together homemade decorations, theatrical effects and a touch of American history.

According to News4JAX and the Fleming Island-Orange Park Times, the attraction, known as Bearadise, is the creation of local homeowner Matt McCary, who has spent seven years turning his Halloween hobby into a free experience for families. What began in 2019 with a few hay bales and a pumpkin has evolved into an immersive outdoor display covering nearly 5,000 square feet. The attraction now features a graveyard, handmade tombstones, towering skeletons, overhead cobwebs and hundreds of feet of lighting.

Hidden speakers, sound effects and fog machines add to the atmosphere, giving visitors the feeling of walking through a carefully staged Halloween scene.The experience is designed as a walk-through rather than a display to be viewed from the pavement. Visitors follow a paved pathway through the decorated area, entering through a homemade archway before making their way past the various spooky installations. The scale of the project also means that McCary cannot put everything together alone.

Around 14 people help unload the decorations, while the electrical arrangements, lighting and other finishing touches take several weeks to complete.The attraction's handmade details are another part of its appeal. McCary has created many of the tombstones himself, even inviting neighbours to contribute to the fun through a contest for humorous grave markers. The display has also developed into a shared community project, with residents helping bring the seasonal installation to life.According to a 2023 community newsletter published by Orange Park Country Club, the attraction was previously known as the Haunted Pathway. Even then, it covered more than 4,000 square feet and featured themed sections including the Boneyard, Spider Alley and Witch Way. The annual event has continued to expand, with new additions introduced over the years.

A Halloween attraction with a historical connection

Beyond the skeletons and spooky decorations, Bearadise also has an educational element inspired by McCary's personal connection to Salem, Massachusetts.

He married there in October 2013, and the town's association with the infamous Salem witch trials became part of the attraction's theme. One section features QR codes that visitors can scan to access information about the 1692 witch trials, including details about individuals who were accused, tried and executed.

The addition gives families an opportunity to learn about a significant chapter in American history while exploring the Halloween-themed setting.Although the attraction is primarily designed for evening visits, its lighting is sometimes switched on earlier to make it more accessible to younger children who might find the darker, more theatrical effects frightening.Today, Bearadise reportedly welcomes around 250 trick-or-treaters annually. Its popularity is also evident beyond Halloween, with local children recognising the property as the neighbourhood's Halloween house even during the summer months.

For McCary, the attraction is ultimately about creating a place where families can share the excitement of the season. What began as a small decorating project has become a neighbourhood tradition, bringing together residents through creativity, nostalgia and a shared love of Halloween.