Wisecracking skulls, restless zombies and rattling headstones
will be putting on a show to benefit Parkinson’s research this
Halloween. Well, technically Bob Johnston, an engineer who’s young
at heart, will be behind the whole spectacle.
Wisecracking skulls, restless zombies and rattling headstones will be putting on a show to benefit Parkinson’s research this Halloween. Well, technically Bob Johnston, an engineer who’s young at heart, will be behind the whole spectacle.
The Morgan Hill resident will be staging his eighth annual “Terror on Lassen Way” display Oct. 31 from 6 to 10pm, but he’s actually been putting on the spectacular for more than 20 years.
“A friend of mine and I started out just setting stuff up in front of my parents house,” said Johnston. “We eventually kind of went our separate ways, but we always got this thing together. It just became bigger and bigger.”
Johnston’s show has made appearances in Pleasanton, Mountain View, San Jose and Santa Clara over the years, drawing more than 2,500 people some years.
“Now I do it on my own, and it’s out in the common area of my townhouse complex, so it’s not as big as it used to be,” he said. “It’s still sort of an ‘Ooh-aah’ thing with the lighting and the characters. Mine has a lot of moving things and special effects as opposed to other houses that just have people jumping out at you. It’s not too scary for kids that way.”
The grandiose holiday display was actually inspired by the Christmas scenes his father set up when Johnston was a kid. Instead of simply setting up the painted plywood characters he’d purchased, Johnston’s dad attached motors and created a moving display out in the front yard.
“By the time I started doing it, it was cooler to play with Halloween,” said Johnston. “I sort of confiscated some of the motors from his stuff. I’m an engineer, so playing with all these contraptions is pretty fun for me. At this point, I’m just pretty much obsessed.”
This year’s weather predictions are the only worry. Rain has never spoiled Johnston’s display, so he’s crossing his fingers for a clear spot in the forecast.
As always, Johnston’s profits will go to charity. This year, funds will benefit the American Parkinsons Research Fund.
To reach “Terror on Lassen Way” from U.S. 101, take the Tennant exit east toward Monterey Rd. Turn south on Monterey Road and then west onto Watsonville Rd. Turn left onto Venetian Way. Stay to the right and the entrance to Johnston’s display will be on the left.
