A 16-year-old boy is taking his suburban home and turning it into a massive haunted house every October. Joe Veneziale, known as the "Halloween guy" at his high school, has been planning this event for years. He started by helping out with his family's Halloween decorating when he was just a kid, and his fixation on Halloween only grew stronger.
Veneziale built all of the sets himself with the help of his mom, dad, and grandpop Goose, a lifelong carpenter. His designs are elaborate, rivaling those found in professional haunted house attractions. The 1930s hotel theme this year's attraction features a retro-style elevator, a front lobby, and a baggage room filled with vintage luggage.
The manor also includes a speakeasy-style cocktail lounge in the basement, complete with window boxes for special effects like thunder and lightning. Visitors will have to navigate through pitch-black rooms before being surprised by flashes of light and frightening clowns. The event raises money for Spirit of Children, which brings Halloween magic to kids in local hospitals.
Veneziale spends all year working on this project, from brainstorming to construction, character development, and training actors. He's passionate about creating an immersive experience, saying "It's full-on immersion." At night, he gets to dress up as a maniacal clown and scare people with his friends. With the help of his family members, Veneziale is able to turn his suburban home into a massive haunted house every October, making him one of the most creative teenagers in town.
Veneziale built all of the sets himself with the help of his mom, dad, and grandpop Goose, a lifelong carpenter. His designs are elaborate, rivaling those found in professional haunted house attractions. The 1930s hotel theme this year's attraction features a retro-style elevator, a front lobby, and a baggage room filled with vintage luggage.
The manor also includes a speakeasy-style cocktail lounge in the basement, complete with window boxes for special effects like thunder and lightning. Visitors will have to navigate through pitch-black rooms before being surprised by flashes of light and frightening clowns. The event raises money for Spirit of Children, which brings Halloween magic to kids in local hospitals.
Veneziale spends all year working on this project, from brainstorming to construction, character development, and training actors. He's passionate about creating an immersive experience, saying "It's full-on immersion." At night, he gets to dress up as a maniacal clown and scare people with his friends. With the help of his family members, Veneziale is able to turn his suburban home into a massive haunted house every October, making him one of the most creative teenagers in town.