CARIBOU, Maine — What started as a Halloween party for his children’s classmates has quickly turned into Grant Spinney’s way of giving back to the community.
Spinney, owner of Grant Spinney’s Construction, is throwing a Halloween party the evening of Friday at his home at 15 Vaughn St. He is inviting all local families to come out in costume from 6 to 9 p.m. and enjoy his neighborhood’s most elaborate and spooky decorations.
Last year Spinney took his children Charlotte, 11, and Thomas, 10, trick-or-treating but this year the children decided to stay home and celebrate with their friends. As the invitation list quickly grew and the decorations multiplied, Spinney felt inspired to welcome anyone who wants a safe, festive place to go on Halloween weekend.
“My house has basically become the neighborhood congregation anyway. There’s always kids in the yard and people are comfortable here,” Spinney said. “So the biggest thing is opening it up for everyone and letting the kids play and have fun.”
To make his home extra scary, but not too scary for children, Spinney has put a lot of work into his yard decorations. Ghosts float from tree branches above a cemetery, where a clown can be seen stuck in the ground. Near the roadway, two witches are riding Spinney’s antique two-wheelers.
Spinney purchased 44 large pumpkins and around a dozen smaller pumpkins that are scattered throughout the yard. He used some of the pumpkins and square hay barrels to create a walkway from his front steps.
Spinney is still putting the finishing touches on the decorations and expects Pennywise the clown and little Georgie from Stephen King’s “IT” to make an appearance soon.
During Spinney’s party on Friday, children can enjoy bounce houses, games, karaoke and DJ music. The Simply Delicious food truck will also be there.
Spinney will host a costume contest with Best Costume categories for both children and adults, as well as a Best Couple prize for adults. Winners will receive cash prizes and gift cards to local businesses.
Caribou Fire & Ambulance will pay a visit with Sparky the fire dog and sell raffle tickets for a snowmobile drawing. Proceeds will support the Caribou Ecumenical Food Pantry and Spinney will provide a match of total funds raised.
Spinney has donated to community groups through his company but this will be the first time he has invited people to his home to share in the giving.
“There’s been a lot of local support. All the neighbors have been excited,” Spinney said. “This has turned into a way to give back to the community.”
On Halloween, from 5 to 9 p.m., Spinney is inviting local children to a haunted walk that will take them around his porch and front yard, encountering spooky creatures along the way.
Spinney’s next-door neighbor, Terri Steeves, said she and her children are looking forward to having another option besides trick-or-treating this Halloween. Steeves plans to help Spinney and other community volunteers put on the party on Friday.
“[Grant] is a wonderful guy who does a lot for people,” Steeves said. “This is a great way for kids to have fun and be in a safe environment on Halloween.”
