Updated 10/27/2009 06:20 PM
"Carnival Of Carnage" Comes To Brooklyn
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An annual Halloween tradition in Clinton Hill that draws thousands to the neighborhood is once again gearing up for a night full of frightful treats. NY1's Jeanine Ramirez filed the following report.Passersby can't help but stop and stare at 313 Clinton Avenue every Halloween as its front lawn becomes a spooky showcase spectacular year after year. On Tuesday, freak show characters could be seen rehearsing their lines, fire spinners practicing their routines and a group called the "Gowanus Canal Girls" perfecting their toxic traits.
"We're sort of these mutant beasts that come out of the Gowanus Canal," said Gowanus Canal Girl performer Marley Duncan.
"We live among the garbage and toxic waste," Gowanus Canal Girl performer Miranda Viederman.
The owner of the Victorian mansion is Janna Hayten -- better known as "The Halloween Lady." She's been putting on a Halloween show on her property for 14 years and has been planning this year's since last March.
"We've got painters, we've got professional hair stylists. We've got production guys, we've got professional woodworking guys...so we're really for the first time ever in really good shape," Hayten said. "It's almost like we have a mini production company."
And it's not just an outdoor production. Inside the house, more than a dozen volunteers pitch in to create the spooky scene. Hayten's daughter, Kesley, also gets in on the act.
"It's weird not having people in the house. Because there's constantly people in the house," said Kesley Hayten.
Since the volunteers all have full time jobs, preparation for the show happens on nights and weekends right out on the street for all to see.
"I've seen it every single year and they have crowds like there's people in this yard and in that yard and all in the street and they throw candy after they're done. It's really amazing," said Clinton Hill resident Roisin Ross.
"It's famous in the neighborhood. They do something fantastic every year," said Clinton Hill resident Danielle McConnell.
Every year the theme changes. This year it's "Carnival of Carnage" featuring an invisible man and fortune teller. One thing you won't see is the Hermaphrodite character, which has been removed because it offended some in the community. But most support the show buying T-shirts to help raise funds. The Society for Clinton Hill is also a sponsor.
If you'd like to stop by 313 Clinton Avenue, show times are every half hour in the evening on Halloween.