Prestonsburg, KY (WMDJ) — For one Prestonsburg family, Halloween isn’t just about candy and costumes. It’s a full-scale family tradition built on creativity, love, and inclusion.
For the 11th year in a row, local resident Matt Lafferty has constructed an elaborate Halloween display, this time building a 14-foot ghost trap inspired by the Ghostbusters movies.
He started the tradition more than a decade ago to help his middle son, who is autistic, feel comfortable during Halloween festivities. Large crowds used to overwhelm him, so his dad began designing themed enclosures that made him feel safe and part of the fun.
“The first one worked so I just kept doing it every year,” he said. “It eventually grew into a family tradition.”
Over the years, his builds have included everything from a UFO and F-14 jet to Optimus Prime, a wrestling ring, and even a giant saw blade from the horror classic Saw. Now, even though his son is comfortable in crowds, the family keeps the tradition going and their newest 3-year-old has already joined in on the fun.
“It’s something we all look forward to,” he said. “Every year, we try to top the last one.”
A project born from love has turned into something much bigger. A reminder that the best Halloween memories are the ones built together.
Photos courtesy of Matt Lafferty
