Halloween in Philadelphia: West Philly map, South Philly aerial displays

Residents in Philadelphia are preparing for Halloween with installations that range from ground-level skeleton rows to props suspended in the air. The effort spans multiple neighborhoods, with specific initiatives in the West and South parts of the city.

In West Philadelphia, Dyresha Harris launched the West Philly Fright Registry to catalog local attractions. The tool functions as an interactive map where neighbors list their homes and displays. Harris described the project as a one-stop shop for all things wicked and west. The registry currently lists more than 100 locations. Participants register through a Google form accessed via a QR code. Icons on the map indicate whether a stop offers candy or hosts events. Harris stated that her own display is still under construction. She designed it with a circus theme inspired by the horror story It. She warned that visitors who are afraid of clowns may want to skip her home.

Organizers for the registry said residents must sign up by Friday to appear on the map. The deadline ensures all participating homes are included in the final version of the guide.

In South Philadelphia, David Kroblen has decorated his block for more than 20 years. His current installation includes spider webs, animatronics, and a bat skeleton. The centerpiece is a flying witch that hangs roughly a story above the ground. Kroblen explained the engineering behind the display. He used 300-pound weight fishing line wrapped around a pole across the street to secure the prop to his window. He noted that the project required years of planning.

Kroblen said his block will soon transition to a different seasonal theme. After Halloween, the decorations come down and he begins setting up for Christmas.