Popular Halloween attraction in Minneapolis canceled

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - After 22 years of scaring guests free of charge, the man behind a popular Halloween display in Northeast Minneapolis says he’s canceling this year.

Mark Lazarchic posted on Facebook over the weekend, saying there were several factors that went into the decision to cancel, including indirect complaints he received from neighbors.

"Some passive-aggressive twit on social media passed on that neighbor X through neighbor Y through neighbor Z complained about the traffic," he said. "I’ve never heard a complaint."

Lazarchic said the cost of putting the display together, and the availability of the crew that usually assembles everything were also reasons he decided to shutter this year. The house, which is located in the 1600 block of Lowry Avenue Northeast in Minneapolis, welcomes around 2,500 visitors every year. 

Since the announcement, he says he’s been overwhelmed by how many people have reached out expressing disappointment and even offering to help.

"I didn’t realize it was a staple of northeast Minneapolis," he said. "Now I’m feeling guilty about not doing it."

Lazarchic said while he appreciates the many people who have volunteered their time to help, he says it’s a complicated project that would be made more stressful with an assembly crew who has never put it together before.

"I appreciate the offers to help but no one knows where anything goes or how to set it up. So, it's less help than you would think," Lazarchic said.

Lazarchic says he’s not shutting down the idea of returning in 2024. Fans can check the Facebook page for updates on next year.