- April 25, 2024
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Dracula awaits Trick or Treaters at 2 White Deer Lane in Palm Coast. Photo Anastasia Pagello
The decorations at 2 White Deer Lane grow every year thanks to neighbor's donations. Photo Anastasia Pagello
Two smoke machines are used to add fog to the cemetery at 2 White Deer Lane. Photo Anastasia Pagello
Jon L'Heureux goes all out decorating his home at 2 White Deer Lane for Halloween. Photo Anastasia Pagello
Dracula rises from his coffin in a smoke-filled cemetery waiting for Trick and Treaters to cross his path.
The cemetery dotted with nearly 100 tombstones is in Jon L’Heureux’s front yard at 2 White Deer Lane in Palm Coast. Dracula is an inflatable decoration and the smoke comes from smoke machines.
L'Heureux, the parts services director at Palm Coast Ford started decorating his yard for his 3 year-old daughter, Chelsie, 19 years ago.
“I knew I wanted to do something for her, so when I got home after 12 hours at work, I would do this,” L’Heureux said. “I’m from New England and Halloween and Christmas are big up there.”
His first really big decoration purchase was one that he admitted he really couldn’t afford, a $400 inflatable Munster roadster with Dracula popping out. It was more than he planned to spend but Chelsie loved it -- at least while it was in the box. When it was assembled in the front yard, she wouldn’t go near it.
"I really wanted to be involved in the community” Jon L'Heureux Palm Coast resident and crypt keeper.
He said the decorating tradition grew by accident when neighbors began giving him decorations they no longer wanted. The front yard display has “groan” to include nine blow-up decorations, 100 tombstones and special effects.
“It makes me feel good when the kids come by and even when the adults come by to see it,” he said. “It fits in with my job and what we do. I really wanted to be involved in the community.”
L’Heureux is stocked up with goodies for the Trick or Treaters.
“They usually start coming just as I am getting home, so I get right into it,” he said.
His enthusiasm faded a bit when some expensive decorations were stolen. This year he waited until the weekend before Halloween to put the finishing touches on his decorations.
Hopefully in another few weeks there will be another fabulous display at his home to enjoy.
“If there are no issues at Halloween I will put up more for Christmas this year,” he said.
