The 270 Chronicles tells stories within Bowling Green’s 270 area code, 270 words at a time, featuring niche events, organizations and people that make up our local community.
Bowling Green resident Steve Widelski’s house is known as the “Halloween House” in his neighborhood. For the past 20 years, he said he has gone all out with his decorations for the holiday.
“When I was a child, trick or treating was a big deal and I remember certain house decorations,” Widelski said. “The goal is for the kids who visit to also have that memory..”
Over the years, Widelski said he has had parents bring their children to his house on Halloween and tell him they remember trick-or-treating there when they were younger.
Widelski said he has loved his house being known as the “Halloween House” and being a part of so many people’s memories.
He said his children offer him help every year with the decorations. However, he always refuses and insists on setting it up himself.
He said that every year he sets up inflatables and scenes in his front yard. This year, he included a cemetery and a vet clinic among all of his decorations.
Widelski said his favorite decoration this year is a skeleton with a glowing neon green IV tube. He bought the IV machine from an auction on GovDeals through WKU Surplus.
On top of his decorations, Widelski said he lines up many tables in his driveway every year to hand out candy on trick-or-treat night. In addition, his daughter, being a big reader, suggested he add a bookshelf for kids to get a book as well.
“I think in today’s society, kids have to grow up so fast and this gives them a chance to really be kids,” Widelsk said.