Haunted Plainfield yard pays tribute to pop culture horror

In 2022, Dave and Aubrey Appel of Plainfield made national news with their Halloween yard display, which featured Sadie Sink’s “levitating” Max Mayfield from the TV show “Stranger Things.”

This year, the Appels received their first prop commission: a Wolverine’s adamantium skeleton. Dave said a talent agency claiming that it represented The Walt Disney Co. subsidiary Marvel Entertainment reached out and asked him to make the skeleton.

“We get some really crazy contacts sometimes where it just feels ‘off,’” Dave said. “But the contact from this group felt very professional, very put together, so we said, ‘Let’s go through with it.’”

Dave said the company sent a structured timeline, paid for materials, paid for the prop, and will pay for shipping, which is to a Disney contact at a Disney address.

In the meantime, Wolverine’s adamantium skeleton is standing in the couple’s yard, hopefully through Halloween, Dave Appel said.

“We’re very proud of the outcome,” Dave said.

The couple built the prop on a tight schedule – the company contacted them at the end of September with an early October deadline. But Dave said there was no way they would turn down this commission, especially since “we didn’t see the email for eight days.”

“We had one weekend and two days set aside [to] straight build,” Dave said. “And, like clockwork, I got COVID. I’m literally editing the video with COVID and a horrible headache.”

Dave said that although “it’s very cool to have this paid partnership,” it’s also “bittersweet” since he and Aubrey obviously can’t keep the prop.

“Once we ship it to them, it’s theirs,” Dave said. “We can always recreate it ourselves. But, yeah, when it leaves, it’s not coming back.”

More pop culture props in Plainfield yard

Other new props in the couple’s HorrorProps haunted yard include two Delia Deetz sculptures from the original “Beetlejuice” movie, a 14-foot Siren Head based on Canadian artist Trevor Henderson’s creation, and a giant popcorn bucket inspired by the 1983 movie “Killer Klowns From Outer Space.”

Dave and Aubrey also installed a Halloween display at Bronkberry farms in Plainfield for the second year in a row, he said.

One might presume the couple starts building props Nov. 1, but no – Dave said they begin July 1. Both Dave and Aubrey work full time, and Dave also coaches sports.

Right now, we’re hitting the sweet spot. We’re busy, but it’s relaxing.”

—  Dave Appel of Plainfield, co-operator of HorrorProps

The couple also has a 14-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son, and they “want to make sure the kids have time with us,” Dave said. “We manage our time very wisely.”

Although their 2024 props aren’t attracting the volume of visitors as “Floating Max” did, the couple is seeing good traffic, Dave said. Besides, crowds “as big as Woodstock” weren’t their goal as a haunted yard.

[ Hundreds flocking to Plainfield home? ‘Stranger Things’ has happened. ]

“We want people to come with their families and not feel anxious because 5,000 people are waiting outside,” Dave said. “Right now, we’re hitting the sweet spot. We’re busy, but it’s relaxing.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: HorrorProps (Infested Oaks)

WHEN: Through Oct. 31, weather permitting; 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 4 to 9 p.m. Sundays and 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31

WHERE: 1806 Whispering Oaks Court, Plainfield. Park on Whispering Oaks Drive.

INFORMATION: Visit facebook.com/HorrorProps1.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: HorrorProps mini display

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays through Halloween

WHERE: Bronkberry Farms, 18061 South Bronk Road, Plainfield

INFORMATION: Call 815-436-6967 or visit bronkberryfarms.com.

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A father brings his daughter to see the newest Halloween display by Dave Appel HorrorProps, who made national attention with his “Stranger Things” display, on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 in Plainfield. (Gary Middendorf)