Ohio homeowner Marianne Peters faces backlash from Fairfield neighbors for setting up extravagant Halloween display in August

An Ohio Halloween enthusiast has stirred up controversy in her neighborhood by starting her elaborate display months ahead of the spooky night.

Marianne Peters’ annual “Nightmare on Bibury Street” has been a beloved tradition in the Fairfield community for seven years. However, this year, not everyone is pleased with her spooky yard, according to Fox 19.

Peters was disheartened when the city contacted her twice after receiving complaints about her early decorating. Her display, which takes 100 hours to set up each year, began in the second week of August.

“You could have approached me directly with your concerns,” Peters expressed to the outlet regarding her neighbors’ complaints.

According to a 2021 YouGov poll, 43% of respondents believe the “earliest acceptable time” to display Halloween decorations is between October 1 and 15. Only 13% suggest putting up displays between Labor Day and September 30.

In previous years, Peters and her husband would construct the display closer to the holiday. However, due to her husband’s battle with cancer and chemotherapy treatments, Peters had to start earlier this year.

“My husband was diagnosed with cancer a year ago, so he can’t do as much after his chemo treatments,” Peters shared. “He’s usually down for about two weeks.”

The city informed Peters that she wasn’t violating any rules but recommended she wait a few more weeks for a more appropriate time to set up her display. 

Despite facing opposition from neighbors, Peters is determined to continue with her Halloween tradition and has not completed the setup yet, receiving support from some community members.

One Facebook group has over a dozen volunteers who have offered to help Peters finish setting up the yard and dismantle everything after the holiday.

“She still needs help. She has two canopies that need to be put up and items put underneath them, plus she still has skeletons that need to go up,” a Facebook user posted on the community page on Sept. 3.

However, some individuals acknowledge the reasons behind the complaints.

“I sort of understand because you don’t want to see all that gory stuff when it’s not even Halloween yet,” commented one Facebook user.

Peters remains undeterred by the grievances and plans to continue setting up her Halloween display every year.

On Halloween night, live actors will entertain as monsters on the property, with over 300 children expected to attend.

“I do it because the kids love it, and many adults enjoy it too,” Peters stated.