A pale full moon hangs low in the sky, illuminating scores of headstones beneath it. A foreboding wrought iron gate overlooks the scene from the back, a scene dotted with grinning jack-o-lanterns and massive trees. The wind howls, providing a properly atmospheric soundtrack while the graveyard is bathed in purple and orange, bringing visitors a classic taste of Halloween in mid-September. mhp cemetery display

It’s one single scene, but a yard display by Murder House Productions is nothing if not terrifically efficient, made all the more impressive by its last-second nature. On September 16, MHP’s creators bode farewell to the Thousand Oaks home that housed some of the best home haunts of the last few years, giving it one last Halloween hurrah before they vacated the premises and took Murder House Productions elsewhere. From noon to 10PM on the balmy late summer Wednesday, guests were invited to “pay their respects,” as it were, enjoying the cemetery display from the comfort of their cars, and while parking and walk-ups were not allowed for safety reasons, fans approached the yard via sidewalk nonetheless, snapping photos of the elaborate decor.

MHP Cemetery Display | Murder House Productions

It goes without saying that the pandemic has thrown the state of the haunt industry into disarray, leading to countless cancellations of long-awaited events, but if anything, lovers of the spookiest season have only grown more ravenous, which may very well lead to a surge in popularity of classic yard displays. Amidst the chaotic screams and fog machines found at major haunts year after year, yard displays tend to get overlooked, classic in nature but often lacking in the immersion that fans have come to crave. While some have mourned the “cancellation” of Halloween, scenes like Murder House’s Cemetery Display prove that there are still plenty of ways to immerse yourself in the spirit of the season.

Find out more about Murder House Productions on their website. Check out our Event Guide for more immersive and Halloween entertainment throughout the year.

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