Raiden Bowman recognizes that most people want to be a little scared.
He serves as a live actor in his parents' elaborately decorated spooky yard, an idea which has grown into a truly ghoulish event in Bella Vista.
Bowman enjoys this time of year, volunteering to come alive out of a shadow.
"I've made several people hit the ground," he said. "I don't even touch them. They just see me and drop."
The elaborate front and side yard – in addition to a "cemetery" on the other side of the garage – prompts car after car to drive by this time of year. Owner John Bowman and his wife, Teah Bidwell, are in their fourth year of operating the Skeleton House at 20 Sandridge Drive.
Complete with larger-than-life tarantulas, ghouls, tons of skeletons and more, the couple uses the atmosphere to create a launchpad for nonprofits.
This year, the couple is raising money for NWA Bully Haven Rescue and Skeletons for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
The extreme yard on Sandridge Drive takes a while to organize and decorate. The couple stays within the Bella Vista Village Property Owners Association guidelines on setup, usage and teardown. All total, the massive display is up for about two months. They'll leave this year's display set up until about Nov. 2, he said.
Why go to such elaborate measures?
"We've had four engagements here. We've had a drone take a video. Several kids ask their parents to drive by daily to see what we're building," he said, laughing.
The couple previously started a Trail of Fears when they lived in Centerton. After moving to Bella Vista four years ago, they decided to start the Skeleton House and Trail of Fears here.
Helping others enjoy the season – and raise money for good causes – drives the couple to work hard.
Last year's effort focused on a coat drive.
"We give 100 percent of what people donate," Bowman said. "Anything to help anybody above and beyond."
Though a couple of the neighbors aren't super happy about the constant traffic, Bowman said the couple means well. They simply get creative with Halloween decorations.
Bella Vista Mayor Peter Christie supports the effort and Bowman works with the Bella Vista Police Department to assist with traffic, if needed, he said.
Typically, Bowman keeps an eagle eye out every night, watching as people park and then walk through the yard to fully enjoy the experience.
QR codes on signs encourage people to donate. It's a lot of work, but something the couple believes benefits fellow Bella Vista neighbors.
"People seem to love it," he said.
The Skeleton House is one stop on the Bella Vista-based Trail of Fears, which is a compilation of homes that feature Halloween lights and decorations for people to enjoy at no cost. All of the homes are located in Bella Vista, with one located in Bentonville and two located in Pea Ridge.
The Trail of Fears includes:
13 Selland Drive
81 Lancaster Drive
36 Basildon Drive
31 Wentworth Drive
61 Branchwood Drive
1 Scots Circle
1 Kensington Circle
3 Faye Lane
41 Munster Drive
12 Tavistock Drive
2 Basildon Circle
5 Chapel Lane
22 Ravenglass Lane
20 Chapel Lane
27 Chapel Lane
3 Reeves Lane
46 Merritt Drive
1965 Collins Drive, Pea Ridge
726 Harper Dr, Pea Ridge
7 Iris Way, Bentonville
