By STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD / Staff Writer

PELHAM – Jim Phillips had about 500 trick-or-treaters visit his house on Halloween last year, and for good reason. He and his neighbor, Tony Palma, are known for having one of the biggest Halloween displays in the area.

For the last 10 years, Phillips has covered his yard with all kinds of Halloween decorations for trick-or-treaters of all of ages.

“The left side of the yard is for the little kids,” Phillips said. “It doesn’t scare them a whole lot. The right side of the yard, where the haunted house is, is free game.”

This year, in addition to displaying old standbys such as pirate ships, witches and ghosts, Phillips has redone the graveyard and added more animated characters that jump out at anyone walking through. His favorite new additions are an animated werewolf that rattles a cage trying to get out, as well as new Dracula pieces.

Every year, Phillips coordinates with Palma, who lives across the street, to make sure they don’t buy the same decorations. They also help each other put together their displays.

“It takes about four to six weeks to put it all together,” said Phillips of Palma’s display, which consists of a haunted maze made of wood featuring life-size, animated characters.

While most decorations are already out, Phillips said the animated characters, maze and haunted house would go up on the day of Halloween.

Phillips lives on David Drive off Beardon Road in Pelham. The display will be open from 6-11 p.m. until Halloween and from 6 p.m.-midnight on Halloween.