Islip Couple Lights Up Home With Festive Display For Halloween

ISLIP, NY — Some people wait until Christmas to set up an elaborate light display, but one Islip couple wanted to bring some joy to the community even earlier. Last year, Kevin and Kristy O'Reilly turned their home on 32 Bates Street into a Halloween spectacular and recently brought it back for the second year in a row.

Kevin, who has been helping with other lighting displays as a hobby for several years, decided to finally start his own personal display for Christmas two years ago. He used his skills from working as a DJ and electrician when he was younger to put the display together.

"When I was a kid one of my favorite things to do was to get in the car with my parents and drive around looking at all the great lights displays," he told Patch. "Back then there were so many houses that decorated. You could go and every night and drive through countless neighborhoods. Obviously shows like mine didn't exist yet because the technology wasn't really there yet."

His display quickly became popular within the community and after receiving positive feedback from local residents, he decided to start his display even earlier.

"Other years during our Christmas display people would always ask and say this is so cool you should do a Halloween display," he said. "So with that encouragement ,we took the leap and made it happen."

The work for the displays starts months in advance, as Kevin starts building new props before even setting up the show. Then he starts putting up the display about two weeks before. The programming of the lights and music takes anywhere from 8 to 12 hours of computer time per minute of music. This year's show is 44 minutes long.

In addition, for those who aren't a fan of gore, the Bates Street display keeps it family-friendly, avoiding blood and scary images. Instead, the display contains a variety of music extremely choreographed and synchronized to all custom made holiday props.

"We have received nothing but positive feedback from everyone," Kevin said. "A lot of people thanking us because its super family friendly. And for giving the community something that they can do from the comforts of there cars and be safe especially during the current times we are living in."

And for those who caught the show last year, the couple makes sure to change the show every season. This year's display will have thousands of extra lights as well as new props.

"New props get added and there's always a new layout," Kevin said. "And obviously we try to add new music each year ranging from classics to current hits. This way the show is good for all ages."

The show attracts several hundred people, with between 75 to 100 cars stopping by every weekend. The Halloween display kicked off this past weekend, which Kevin said was "packed solid" from 6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. all weekend.

The show will run every night until Halloween night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The couple will then put up their Christmas display the day after Thanksgiving. During the coronavirus pandemic, they are reminding people to make sure to social distance, as well as wear masks, especially if getting out of their cars.