A side view of the Sampson’s cemetery-themed Halloween display, complete with animatronics and fog, at 130 N. Elm St., showcases the vast attention to detail. Ernie Sampson said that it isn’t unusual for them to start putting together the display annually before Labor Day in an effort to get all their selected pieces perfect by Halloween night. In fact, he has a couple more fog machines that he has yet to get out there. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

COLUMBIANA — Ernie and Brenda Sampson never endeavored to have the spookiest house in their neighborhood, but it has been that way for 25 years.

It definitely is a draw when the darkness falls on 130 N. Elm St. and the purple floodlights further illuminate the haunt factor.

The couple, originally from western Pennsylvania (Brenda from Ambridge in Beaver County and Ernie in Pittsburgh), has been married for 40 years and gussies up their abode variety of holidays — Christmas, of course; Valentine’s Day; St. Patrick’s Day and Easter are among them.

No Thanksgiving as generally they take a break, getting ready for the Christmas season, Brenda explained.

It takes at least one month to get ready for Halloween, which entails Ernie fetching all their favorite props — some handmade — from various rooms throughout the home or above the garage.

To them, it is definitely a labor of love repeated every year except in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Its absence definitely mourned above neighbors and seasonal visitors who made the annual trip to enjoy the presentation.

The cemetery arch at the Sampson’s front gate was made by Ernie out of Styrofoam coated with cement and a definite attention-getter. Many of their favorites are out, like the gate; however, Brenda said that they do rotate pieces annually too.

For example, the life-sized coffin made by Ernie from wood got a break this year. Among the couple’s inventory, too, is a witch with a cauldron, which was converted from an old pool filter.

When asked if they ever thought about manufacturing these props professionally? Brenda said that they hadn’t mainly because they “want to keep it fun.”

Brenda and her aunt guests are assigned scare duty, while her sister and 90-year-old mother pass out the candy, which is usually approaching 900 pieces on trick-or treat night.

It has gotten to the point that on Trick or Treat night, the city of Columbiana shuts down Elm Street for vehicle traffic due to the high foot traffic.

Nighttime visitors through 11 p.m. Oct. 31 can enjoy the spooky display under the cast of purple floodlights and through fog produced by numerous fog machines. However, lights are out after 11 p.m. Halloween night, so people can still enjoy the display with its animatronics.

The Sampsons handiwork can be seen at 130 N. Elm St. through Nov. 1.