From creepy to kooky, here are some of the Augusta area's best Halloween houses

Halloween season is here, and the big night is creeping up. In preparation for the many trick-or-treaters, several households have been decorated in their best All Hallows' evening looks. Some are on the more whimsical side, while others look like they are the scene of a horrible attack.

Tons of festive families will be on the lookout for the very best displays. But with more than 500,000 residents across the Augusta area, there can be a lot of wandering around searching for the most memorable. Here's a look at a few of the most creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky:

Pollard Family

710 Thornbury Ridge, Evans

The Pollards' display is not for the faint of heart.

Reds and literal flesh tones are heavily present including a butcher station featuring multiple body and body parts, organs hanging from a cross, and all kinds of bloody characters. If that doesn't scare you, the door is covered by the huge face of a terrifying nun and hands can be seen clawing at the upstairs window.

Alisha Pollard said her house has been so horrifying in years past that neighbors have asked them to take it down, including one instance involving a letter to the family from someone saying they would rather go to a morgue than see their decorations. To her that was proof they had won Halloween.

"That’s the whole point of Halloween, the scare factor and to have fun with it," Pollard said.

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Flugan Family

4512 Coldwater St, Grovetown

Very few homes allow a visitor to be the DJ of their own light show, but that's what Bill Flugan's offers.

Projected images, color changing LED panels and illuminated gravestones have been brought together in a dazzling display of light-synched entertainment. Each song is its own distinct show, and rather than wait around for your favorite to play, guests can choose which song goes next on coldwaterlights.remotefalcon.com.

After Halloween wraps up, the display will be converted into a more jolly version for the Christmas season, but with the same show-stopping format.

Families can check out the lights 6:45-9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 6:45-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. They can listen to the music on the radio at FM 90.1. For the latest updates on the lights, go to the "Coldwater Lights" Facebook page.

Mercer Family

2426 Camelot Dr, Augusta

Graves are part of plenty of Halloween displays, but at the Mercers' house, they are the stars.

The front yard has been transformed into a diverse cemetery with a variety of headstones. Some are the classic RIP pieces, some pay tribute to dead celebrities like Michael Jackson, and some have comedic names like "Ben Dover." There is also a cemetery in the backyard perfect for partying purposes.

Several headstones were handmade by David Mercer with foam board insulation and similar materials. He went to a lot of cemeteries for inspiration.

This is Mercer's first ever display and was a product of boredom and his love for Halloween. He already has big plans for his graveyard's sequel coming next year.

Imler Family

4054 Indian Creek Rd, Martinez

Do you like inflatable decor? The Imlers' house should jump to the top of your "must-see" list.

There are more than 30 inflatables across the property, and while that seems like a lot, they have been layed out quite methodically. Huge cats serve as guards at the main archway, pumpkins are joined together in a little patch and witches have been united in a front-yard coven.

Michelle Imler gives big thanks to her boys for helping with things like the huge spider surrounded by webs on the roof. But the family's work as a creative collective doesn't stop at Halloween.

"This past year, I did Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's, St. Patrick's Day, and Easter," Imler said. "I get excited about it."

Williams Family

1929 Robin Rd, North Augusta

Even a ghoulish holiday like Halloween can be a time for giving back, especially at the Williams' household.

Theirs is another popular sight during Halloween, and they are using the opportunity to collect non-perishable and canned goods for donation to the Community Ministry of North Augusta. In exchange, families will get a chance to make a difference and see some larger-than-life creatures including a flying witch, a reaper and multiple skeletons.

Maranda Williams said they are also big horror movie fans, which brought forth her beloved figure of Sam from "Trick 'r Treat" and the motion-censored Michael Myers from "Halloween" looming across the yard from the front door.

In years past, the Williams have not been present for Halloween night. This is their first year doing so and they are very excited to physically see the turnout.

Carlson Family

240 Tulip Dr, Evans

The Carlsons' display is the very opposite of static.

It's a full out monster mash as a skeleton band plays jams on the front lawn and luminous figures dance to the music from the upstairs window. A hellish ferryman rows his boat and warns any who come near him. The whole scene is given even more life with vibrant shades of blue, purple and orange lights.

These and the other decorations showcased are the product of the husband-and-wife team of Paula and Brad Carlson, who grew up doing these displays and have been combining their skills to create these awesome scenes for years.

They will continue to add and tweak until Halloween night, at which point they will dress up and scare their guests, but those brave enough to enter will leave with full-sized candy bars.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta-area's best decorated Halloween houses, displays of 2023