entrance

Here's how I constructed the Entrance:

I constructed the entrance from large computer boxes. Each box was painted gray with latex paint. I used a roller to make the job faster and easier.

After they dried, I spray-painted them with granite-looking fleck paint. This paint is found in the decorating section of your hardware store. It comes with a clear paint to seal it. This clear paint keeps it strong and repels humidity. (In Florida you have to think about these things)

I stacked the boxes in place and used black paint to make the "stones" of the entrance wall.

Using my PC and the "Creepy" font, I printed the word CEMETERY large enough to fit each letter on one page. I cut out the letters and glued them onto the top boxes that would face the street. When they dried, I outlined the letters with black fabric paint. The paint is shiny and makes the letters stand out . (Check out this web site for details)

The most time-consuming part was cutting the boxes so that they would fit together.

Each box has two flaps on the bottom and two flaps on the top. I measured each box and made a mark on the center of each flap. I measured three inches wide and cut the flap (on the bottom of each box) so that I only had two flaps 3" wide.

| |

Cut away | | Cut away

| |

______________|< >|_________________

For each box I needed to have a slit on the top flap to insert the flap of the box above it. (I used the flaps of the bottom of each box as a guide) On the edge of the top box I made a 3 inch cut so that the flap of the top box can slip directly down into the box below it. This secures the boxes together without the need of tape, glue, etc.

In this picture, I'm holding the top box up while my niece inserts the bottom flap (which was cut to 3" wide) of the top box into a 3" slit of the top flap of the bottom box. This keeps the boxes together.

After receiving their treats, children and their frightened parents enter through the Cemetery Entrance. The porch is enclosed with black drapes, making it very dark and spooky inside. You may be greeted inside by Dan, a 6' 7" tall Frankenstein Monster, who is very kind and gentle with the trick or treaters. Dan is a big part of our Halloween success and is remembered by all who come by.

The entrance has gargoyle lights on each column. An extension cord is run through the top of the entrance to provide the power for the lamps. (Keep an extra set of flickering lights on hand in case the lights burn out.)

We also added lots of weights inside the boxes so that the entrance wouldn't fall over. (If you don't add any weights, a strong wind can hit it just right and topple over on the crowd!) We usually add the weights from the second box up. You can use anything around the house that weighs alot. I usually fill up gallon-size milk containers with water and seal them tightly. The hardest part for me is lifting the weights up the ladder and into the boxes.