Syracuse Halloween Display Down to Bare Bones After Health Scare

Stan Munro and Suzi Campanaro’s lawn is transformed every year for Halloween in Syracuse. But this year's display is scaled back to bare bones after a health scare left the couple asking for prayers instead of tricks and treats.

A sign at 107 Sandra Drive in North Syracuse reads, “Sorry for such a small display this year, but we’ve been running around with our heads cut off.” Skeletons doing chores, without heads, are scattered on the lawn while one gets dialysis. The reason? Suzi's kidney transplant is failing and she needs heart surgery.

Photo Credit: Suzi Companaro

A huge Dracula Castle was the plan for this Halloween but Suzi's double transplant "has run its course," says Stan. "We are accepting prayers, in lieu of tricks or treats. Sorry so serious, but we’re a little scared this year, and we prefer to fight fear with humor."

"To be honest, we weren't exactly sure how to excuse our less than average display this year," explains Suzi. "My talented husband had anticipated one of our most elaborate ideas ever for 2018 but my stupid kidney transplant failed and we will be in Rochester over the next 2 months for heart surgery."

Photo Credit: Suzi Companaro

Suzi says the outpouring of support from the community is giving her strength. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart...and kidney."

Stan and Suzi have been transforming their lawn for Halloween for over a decade, bringing hundreds of people into the neighborhood each year to take a look, even blocking off the street Halloween night. They promise to be back next year with a Halloween display that'll be "bigger than ever."

You can see previous Halloween lawn displays at HalloweenLawn.com or on Facebook at Toothpick World.

We send our thoughts and prayers on a success surgery and speedy recovery.