Stillwater's 'friendly scary' Halloween house attracts a crowd

Oct. 31—The Bracewells are used to masses of people stopping by their exuberant house in Stillwater throughout October. This year, the family expects over a thousand visitors to their "friendly scary" Halloween house.

Michelle Bracewell-Musson and her son Chad Bracewell have decorated their home for Halloween for six years now. Each year, Bracewell brings new ideas to their yard.

Bracewell, 23, has a rare genetic disorder and is on the autism spectrum. He loves the Halloween season because it gives him opportunities to connect with others and work on something he's passionate about, Bracewell-Musson said.

This year, Bracewell took the initiative for most of the decorations, his mom said.

"We used to have where I would have a little cemetery, and then he started one on his own, and then it was kind of this competition back and forth. When I would go indoors, he would grab some of my stuff. And when he'd go to school, I'd move some stuff back," Bracewell-Musson said. "I finally gave up the fight this year, and I thought I'll just let him go for it. So he did, and he did a really great job."

The setup started Labor Day weekend, as the family brought different themes to their yard. The decorations include ghostbusters, a skeleton bride and a pirate ship. Last year, over 900 people visited the home throughout October.

"We get letters dropped off and pictures and cards from people, and every day people are knocking on our door, thanking us," Bracewell-Musson said. "It's just been so wonderful for us as a family. And so far, the neighbors have been really happy."

Halloween is a way for Bracewell to stay connected with the people around him, his mom said.

"This is a way of getting some social (interactions) for him," she said.

"I know Chad really loves people, and because he was getting older and the social circles were getting smaller," she added.

What started as a small Halloween celebration has become a prominent neighborhood cornerstone. Their first year, only a handful of kids stopped at the house, she said.

"It's just kind of evolved once we moved here," Bracewell-Musson said. "It's become a little community, a destination if you will."

In addition to drawing visitors, the house also brings in volunteers who help out.

Employees of a nearby bakery, Sara's Tipsy Pies, will be helping Bracewell hand out candy. Community members have been dropping off bags of candy to help out with the fun.

"We probably go through a bag of candy a day now. We always think we're prepared, and then halfway through the night, we're out," Bracewell-Musson said.

For Bracewell, the whole month of October is a time to dress up, have fun and appreciate his hard work.

This year, while being dressed as Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, he'll be giving tours to visitors, telling people about the different sections and themes. When people approach the home, Bracewell makes sure to let them know it is "friendly scary."

"He really gets into having the people come, handing the treats and candy out and meeting everyone," Bracewell-Musson said. "He just loves it."

To visit: The house is located at 1303 Fourth St. S. in Stillwater