Forked River Halloween Haunt Scares For A Good Cause

FORKED RIVER, NJ — Abandon all hope ye who enter here.

Five years ago, Don Bucci had a vision that started with a couple of tombstones. Bucci has loved Halloween ever since childhood and vowed one day, when he owned a home, to go big on lawn decorations.

The "Dee Road Cemetery" is located at 1560 Dee Road in Forked River. Every year the layout changes and grows.

"It's the biggest Halloween display in Lacey," Bucci said. And this year, it's for a good cause.

Bucci decided he wanted to give back to the community and make his fifth year more special. He chose to work with the Lacey Food Bank and asks that people bring canned goods and non-perishable items if they visit his Haunt.

Bucci placed a donation bin in the front and takes what goods are dropped off to the food bank.

Bucci, a police officer in May's Landing, originally ran the idea by his neighbors before he began to grow the elaborate decorations. They were more than supportive. Bucci handcrafted the tombstones, fencing, the pillars and even the gateway to the front lawn.

He also converts his garage into a haunted mansion complete with a DJ, which sparks his neighbors' curiosity. According to Bucci, he reached out to numerous candy companies for sponsorship. Tito's Vodka sponsor his party two years ago.

Bucci, however, is not alone. He has special "Haunted Helpers" that work with him to construct the decorations and help out. His daughter, Gabriella, and two neighborhood brothers, Landon and Nick Cline, share what Bucci calls his "labor of love."

"We had a Halloween party when we built it the first year, and we had 20 people," Bucci said. "We had 175 people here last year. It was the biggest crowd we ever had."

At Bucci's Halloween parties, you have to show up in costume. Awards are given out, and there are games and music

"It takes me back to a simpler time and we have a great night with our friends and family," Bucci said.

According to Bucci it takes two days to put up the decorations and just four hours to take everything down. Bucci runs the display every night from 7 to 11 p.m. except if it's raining.

On Friday, Oct. 25, there will be a one-night-only performance at the Dee Road Cemetery with zombies, ghouls and ghosts in the graveyard. Bucci called the event "Food Fright" and will be collecting food donations as well.

It is Bucci's hope that when his daughters and "Haunted Helpers" grow up with families of their own, they will continue on with Bucci's Halloween plan.

"Landon and I are thankful that Don lets up help out with the event," Nick Cline said.

See a video below:

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