Creepy obsession

October 31, 2011 at 12:05a.m.

PHOTOS AND STORY

By JESSICA M. KANALAS

LOWELLVILLE

Brian Wharry describes himself in several ways. He’s a part-time firefighter, a home- health-care nurse, fianc and complete horror film buff.

Not only does he watch the films year-round, but Wharry adds to his terror enthusiasm by taking things a little further than the average man during October. He owns 32 realistic life-size animatronic characters, which he shares with the community in a walk-through display complete with fog, strobe lights and a spooky-music playlist.

Wharry’s collection began about six years ago when he bought his first life-size Freddy Krueger, a serial killer from the popular 1984 film “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Within a year, Wharry had six characters and hosted his first walk-through on Halloween night for his neighborhood in Lowellville.

“I have to have them,” he said. “If they come out, I’m buying them.”

His extensive collection ranges from popular horror-film roles such as Michael Myers and Chucky to random scary figures such as wolves, clowns and witches.

Since the room is rather small, Wharry said it’s a great alternative to going to a haunted house. Nothing jumps out or chases you, yet the total experience can still give you that Halloween thrill.

Wharry said he wanted to have community members look forward to trick-or-treating at his house every year.

“It caters to a lot of people,” Wharry said. “It’s based on you.”

The display also has turned into a family activity. Brian’s father, Bill Wharry, helps bring the characters out of storage and assemble each one.

Brian said his fianc e, Adrianne Logozzo, brings an aesthetic eye to the setup process and passes candy to the children as they walk through.

“I want to keep collecting,” Brian said.

Missing characters such as Leatherface from “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and The Creeper from “Jeepers Creepers,” Brian said his collection isn’t complete.

The group is sure to grow over the next year, but until then, anyone interested in viewing the room can walk through for free today from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 180 W. Walnut St. in Lowellville.

But after walking through the haunted room on Halloween night, don’t wander too far in your dreams or you just might begin to hear that all-too-familiar song: “One, two, Freddy’s coming for you …”