The Graff family of Clarks Summit decorate their yard with Halloween decorations each year. Pictured are: First row, from left: Emma Graff, 6, and Nathan Graff, 11. Second row: Brian Graff and Kim Graff.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
An inflatable of a haunted pirate ship courtesy of the Graff family.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
he house of the Graff family on Gladiola Drive decorated for Halloween.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Christmas designs at the Graffs’ house.
Submitted photo
Submitted photo
CLARKS SUMMIT – If you’re in the neighborhood of Floral Park, chances are you’ve probably seen skeletons on a ghost ship, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and characters from “A Nightmare Before Christmas” with an 18-foot Jack Skellington towering over the rest.
That’s the Halloween spirit of Brian Graff and his family.
Since the last five to seven years, the Graff family has been illuminating their front yard on Gladiola Drive with light-up inflatables and blow molds to give it a Halloween decor. They add more decorations each year.
“It started with a couple and then every year, we add more,” said Brian. “It’s never been this much.”
Brian’s 11-year-old son, Nathan, helps him with the setting up while Brian’s wife, Kim, and their 6-year-old daughter, Emma, make sure the decorations look good.
“We inspect to make sure we approve,” Kim said with a laugh.
The Graffs keep the Halloween decorations family friendly and not too scary for kid of all ages to enjoy. They like seeing the children’s reactions when they first gaze upon all of the bright displays when they walk around the yard.
“The kids in the neighborhood always convince their parents to drive past our house on their way home,” said Kim.
Brian’s parents, who live in South Abington Township, talk to their neighbors about the decorations.
“People come by and see it,” he said.
The Graffs’ love of holiday decorating started 10 years during Christmas. Like Halloween, they place inflatables, blow molds. Their inflatables are of snowmen, Clark Griswold from National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation” and Woody from “Toy Story.”
They use a blow mold of the Nativity scene. New this year, a 15-foot Mickey Mouse dressed as Santa will grace the outdoor exhibit. Vintage Christmas lights will be added to the display.
The Graff family also decorates indoors for Christmas. Each of the children have their own Christmas tree in their rooms.
“Christmas started it all and is bigger,” said Kim. “We enjoy the holidays.”
Trick-or-treating is a big tradition at Floral Park. A lot of neighbors have bonfires around Halloween. One of them has a pop-up tent and serves hot chocolate and hot pretzels.
“The neighborhood is very busy on Halloween night,” said. Kim.
The Graffs walk around the neighborhood trick-or-treating. They still leave candy outside their house for other children to enjoy.
