Halloween House In Ridgewood To Entertain, Provoke Fright In Guests

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Just a few years ago, Ridgewood resident Peter Maltin took a good look around his half-acre front yard and saw an opportunity to add a spooky atmosphere to set the mood for Halloween, and entertain kids and adults alike with a little seasonal fun.

Since then, Maltin, a financial advisor by day, has transformed his home at 294 West End Avenue into a Halloween house, allowing him also to express his creativity, he said, as he decorates his yard with props and animatronics to entertain and perhaps even provoke some fright in guests.

Populated by clowns, zombies and giant spiders, the Ridgewood Halloween House is a free, outdoor walk-through attraction that, Maltin said, has gotten bigger and better each year. He started setting up the house this year in March and pays for most of the decor out of his own pocket.

His passion for managing the attraction every year comes not from a love of horror, he said, but the joy of seeing kids and neighbors have fun. In fact, a highlight of the whole experience for him, he added, was last year when he a young girl drew a picture of him and the house, and gave it to him.

"It might seem cheesy to say," he said. "But that's what it's all about for me — ensuring that the kids are having a good time."

Hours of operation for the Ridgewood Haunted House can be found on Facebook @ridgewoodhalloweenhouse.