Few people get into Halloween like Ken Sheldon.
His garage at 4 Mill St. in Sheffield has been transformed once again into an over-the-top display celebrating the holiday. It started 15 years ago, Sheldon said, when his dad had a few tombstones in the yard.
"It's evolved from that," Sheldon said.
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Ken Sheldon plays with the dials at the laboratory in his Halloween display.
Besides those tombstones, Sheldon also made costumes for the children in his family. Now, crowds gather to take in his scary creations.
The creativity of Halloween appeals to Sheldon. It allows him to build anything he wants and he keeps a YouTube channel documenting it all at 165alice1002.
Parts of the display include a nursery, apothecary, and laboratory. It also has a toilet which Sheldon's grandchildren call the "bathroom from hell."
Some of the items Sheldon buys and others he makes himself. Often, he'll buy things and then modify them.
Setup begins the first weekend of September. It concluded this past weekend, Sheldon said, and it's taken hundreds of hours including building time.
Last year, Sheldon didn't put up the display. Under pressure from his grandchildren, it has returned this year.
Much of what's included in the display has been recycled. There are items from Sheldon's work at Ellwood and he also relies on help from Allegheny Book Mart.
"I've always just built things," Sheldon said.
A variety of children enjoy visiting. A five-year-old who came the other night loved it, Sheldon said, but some 10-year-olds don't and even adults have refused to come in.
One neighbor girl told Sheldon it was "pee your pants scary." His own grandchildren aren't afraid since they were there while it was being built.
By the end of the week of Halloween, Sheldon's wife has to be able to park her car back where it belongs. That's a rule in the house.
She's also helped with the display, Sheldon said, along with his son. The grandchildren have also "helped," with his two-year old granddaughter Lincoln spending the most time on the project.
With glow-in-the-dark paint, Sheldon let his grandchildren and nieces go to work. It helps keep them busy.
"It's weird, but at least it's not video games," Sheldon said.
Visitors can't see everything Sheldon has. That's why he's looking for a bigger place to host his work and partner with a civic group.
In the dining room, Sheldon said it's six feet deep with empty boxes. It helps that his wife has been understanding.
The display will be open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Oct. 27, 28 and 31. Although free, Sheldon said there will be a donation box to cover expenses.