Halloween on Hillcrest Avenue in the Crescent Hill neighborhood returns for fun

Pinhead from Hellraiser once said "We have such sights to show you."

It doesn't take nails in the head to know that Halloween on Hillcrest fits that quote with frightening accuracy.

This year, neighbors along Hillcrest Avenue have returned the popular fright festival of Halloween decorations with Trick-or-Treating planned Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. But until The Great Pumpkin arrives, families seeking a fun, free event for fall can slowly cruise Hillcrest Avenue to take in the sights. A better choice would be to park along one of the various side streets, such as Crescent or Field Avenue, and spend an hour or so walking from house to house.

The tradition started in the early 1980s, after Michael Ghrist and his wife moved into their Hillcrest Avenue home. The Halloween on Hillcrest started as a friendly competition between a few neighbors. The event grew to become a tradition, drawing thousands each year to take in the displays leading up to Halloween, where kids would trick-or-treat at each decorated house.

See photos:The Jack O'Lantern Spectacular 2022 at Iroquois Park

The neighborhood canceled the popular event in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The displays of ghosts, ghouls and skeletons returned to a scaled back size in 2021 as pandemic precautions and construction along Frankfort Avenue limited convenient access to the Crescent Hill street made famous in October. Trick-or-Treating was cancelled last year as well along the street.

Halloween fans visiting Hillcrest Avenue can bring canned goods and non-perishable food items to donate at one of the several boxes in front of the neighborhood homes. The food items will go to the United Crescent Hill Ministries to help those in need in the Louisville area.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Halloween on Hillcrest Avenue is back with trick-or-treating for 2022