Return to the SWAMP!

At long last, we are returning to 56 Dead Creek Swamp for 2022. We last left you in 2017 when we found out that a little goblin would be joining our family. Due to his anticipated arrival, we were not able to go “full throttle” in 2017 with our display. We put out a small display in 2017, expecting to be back to normal swampiness in 2018. Well, our ghoul had other plans. The witching hours were long and arduous and took a larger toll on us. We were concerned with how our display would fare with the little goblin toddling around and being fairly destructive towards everything he sees and touches. Therefore, we delayed the Swamps return for a few years.

The time has finally come for 56 Dead Creek Swamp to make its triumphant return! Since we left you, a few additions have been made in anticipation of the return. That is: we have picked up a number of new pieces! We are also anticipating the addition of a few more additions prior to September.

We will discuss some of the new additions as we meander through preparation period. I will start it off with the items we picked up this year:

Haunted Swamp Shanty

We just had to snag this one. After all, what would the swamp be without a nice Swamp Shanty. A spooky houseboat that has run aground the shore long ago and left in disrepair is just what our swamp needed! This piece is incredible from the shark jaws above the door to the fishing pole, fishing spear, and gas can on the back. There is also the toxic waste barrel aboard the houseboat which will fit in seamlessly at 56 Dead Creek Swamp.

We picked up the Value Set for this piece which included Tubing S.O.S. – a casual swamp patron in the midst of being pulled under by some type of sea monster – as well as some street signs which will definitely add some flare to the landscape.

In addition to our Shanty, we picked up a piece that we have been wanting to add since debut in 2013: the Crow Creek Covered Bridge.

The glowing light will be extremely eerie in our village. We will have to decide the exact location for the new bridge, but very excited about its addition.

We also snagged a grim reaper which he had been wanting to adorn our cemetery for many years. A small piece in the grand scheme of things, but it will fit in well in our village.

Many more new additions to outline, but there are the most recent pickups. Stay tuned … because the swamp is back!

2017 Halloween is in the books!

2017 has been quite the year thus far for the Swamp.  A new small swampling is coming soon to assist with our annual display.  As a result of the increased tasks and time commitments that have come along with the anticipated swampling, we did not have time to put out our full display.  However, we still wanted to put out a smaller display for 2017 to enjoy which ended up being our more newly-acquired pieces that were not stored with the other pieces.  As a result we have a small display for 2017, but it is still just as spooky and rockin’ as ever!

 

The Rickety Railroad Station is churning out some spooky rides every night for any daring enough to join.  Steer clear of the toxic cart there is some ooze that continues to pour out from cracks and crevices in the tank.  Also, there is a creepy skeleton that will often jump aboard atop the toxic cart, and that is one creature that you do not want to meet.

Meanwhile, the Voodoo Lounge is hopping with The Zombie cranking up outside the bar.  A server also holds the dish for the night near the lounge for any that are hungry enough to partake.  Finally, front and center is the poor soul that is trying to escape the toxic hazardous waste can into which he was stuffed.

Next Stop for the train crew:  56 Dead Creek Swamp!  ETA 2018

 

 

2016 New Release – Harley Garage

My favorite new addition to the 2016 lineup is the Harley-Davidson’s Last Chance Garage.  I am a little biased due to my love of Harley Davidsons, but this new piece compliments Dept. 56’s new Harley lineup nicely.

From the broken glass of the showroom, to the little details such as the old gas tank, this new item has plenty to admire.  As the hell-raisers roam the village, they can always be counted on to make a stop by the Last Chance Garage.

Dept. 56 also issued two new complimentary pieces complete with their own hogs.  “Pimpin’ My Ride” shows a mummy wrapping his bike just how he likes as he gets ready for his late night ride.  “Ride Away Bride” also shows the cold-footed woman making a getaway on her motorcycle as she flees in her leather vest.

 

 

2016 New Releases!

Department 56 released its new 2016 pieces for the Halloween series.  I will be updating the blog as to each of the new additions.

One of the biggest items of note was the issuance of a new haunted mansion!  Ghastly’s abode is quite haunting in its owns right.  Ghastly, brother to Grimsly and Gravely, is an extrovert who spends his time scaring the townpeople while spooking around the village.  Ghastly loves to hide in the cemetery from dusk till dawn.  Pay close attention to the lights at Ghastly’s villa:  a green light indicates that he is out scaring the town, no lights and he is at home likely sitting in the dark.

The unkempt nature of Ghastly’s estate shows his disdain for such unnecessary concerns.  Busted out windows and bats handing around certainly add to the lore.

 

To coordinate with the new haunted mansion, D56 also released “Ghastly’s Night Out” which has the newcomer lurking in the fog scaring unsuspecting souls.

 

Final Display

The Swamp went into hibernation before we realized that we neglected to publish some final full scene pictures of the display. I have not been able to upload any videos yet. But here are the pictures from the final display

Missing the final product?

We are having some IT issues at the swamp.  We attempted to add video and final pictures, but had difficulties.  No worries, though…It is coming.

Halloween 2015 – Phase 4: Lafitte’s Cove and Grimsly Cliff

Halloween is finally here!  For our final installment, we spotlight the Far East side of the town: Lafitte’s Cove and Grimsly cliff.  The spooky schooner sits shipwrecked along the rocky coast with eerie lights and sounds pouring from the ship. A skeleton getting some nice fishing in around the schooner which is known for its good catches. Nearby a skull rests atop a cave which has been rumored to be the spot where an old miner hid his gold. Black Bart’s Ghost appears to have found the stash and doesn’t look like he is sharing.

The highest point in the town is obviously atop Grimsly’s Cliff. The screens from Grimsly’s house can be heard through the entire town. Mordecai and his dog, Killer, can be seen walking down the jagged cliff toward Killer’s Castle- complete with it’s own eerie glow. In addition to a skeleton taking a nap in a hammock, you may also see a ghost or two swirling about the cliff trying to spook anything they can.

Thats is the end of the individual areas. The final coming tonight!!!

Halloween 2015 – Phase 3: DEAD CREEK SWAMP!

The third installment of our individual focus group is for Dead Creek Swamp!  The centerpiece of the area is located at 56 Dead Creek Swamp. The Dead Creek Mill has the water mill churning the remnants from Creepy Creek.  The mill expels the excess sludge into what has become Dead Creek Swamp. One of the local Skeletons is bold enough to go fishing in the swamp. You will see him kicked back on the porch of the mill. The latest mill delivery truck got bogged down in the swamp and has been a warning sign to other potential drivers. Add in the creepy creatures reaching from the swamp around the delivery truck, and it is enough to scare off any other brave souls trying to make a buck.

There is another old man that also is bold enough to edge through the swamp fishing for his next catch. Don’t look behind you old man, something make be looking for you to be its next catch!

Dont look now, but in the deep woods of the swamp there is a skeleton cooking up something interesting…

No swamp would be complete without a banjo playing skeleton preparing for the local revival. 

Dr. Lunatic’s Lab does its part to add to the sludge which is the Dead Creek Swamp. The electricity pulsing through the lab appears to be awakening some very odd sights inside.

You will even see Dr. Lunatic measuring nearby stirring up something nice. 

Halloween 2015 – Phase 2: Farm House and Cemetery!

Strangers Beware! The odd couple that have the only farm in the area are tired of people and things stealing all of their produce.  It is hard enough to cultivate the ground near Dead Creek Swamp and Dr. Lunatics Lab.  When you have ghosts and pesky kids stealing all of your corn and pumpkins, it will make some angry.  The old man now carries his pitchfork around to ward off varmints and scare off any strangers.  Complete with the obligatory black cat – the farm house is somewhere you may want to avoid.

The haunted windmill creaks along with creepy sounds being expelled across all of the land.  And if you need a cool glass of water, there is a nearby well.  However, you will have to fight the periodic skeleton hand reaching to pull everything near the mouth of the well deep down below.

The town church is in desperate need of some repair as the eerie glow pours out from the gaping holes in the structure.  Out front of the church, a skeleton takes a reflective moment.  It’s nice to see that he still has the respect to remove his hat.

 

The entrance into the church’s cemetery is complete with spooky pumpkins, frightening skulls, and tombstones littered about.  Once through the entrance of the cemetery, the Barber Shop Quartet of  the “Grim Grinning Ghosts” greet you with a nice ditty.  This quartet gives a whole new meaning to Dead Presidents!

The remainder of the cemetery is complete with on-site workers, dancing ghosts, tombstones, and of course the occasional skeleton.  There is also an animated statue the overlooks the cemetery.  Is it an angel keeping a watchful eye over everything below, or is it the reaper looking for his next victim…

 

We are halfway through with our individual section review of the town and inching ever so closely to the final full display unveiling.

Up next we focus on the namesake of the blog: DEAD CREEK SWAMP!

Halloween 2015 – Phase 1: Castle and Carnival

As it is officially the week of Halloween 2015, we wanted to present our 2015 Department 56 Halloween Village Display (a/k/a 56 Dead Creek Swamp).

We wanted to reveal one section at a time in order to give that section a little more publicity.  My wife worked tirelessly on a lot of these platforms and landscapes. She also painted the backdrop.  My main job was the wiring and help with placement.  At the end of the Week, likely Friday or Saturday, we will post the full display – with videos.

Without further ado, I would like to present our first 2015 area: The Castle and the Carnival:

Residing at the far west side of 56 Dead Creek Swamp, a lone knight stands guard behind the main gate in front of Castle Blackstone. A mysterious fog drifts over the sides of the castle’s moat and hangs in the air. Ascend the stone steps and treat yourself to a tour of the dungeon below.

The Phantom plays ominous background music nearby assuring fright to any would-be trick-or-treaters that dare grace the Castle’s shadows.

Meanwhile, across the cavernous drop, sits the town carnival, CarnEvil.  This year’s carnival provides multiple forms of entertainment.  Ladies and Gents, win a plush bear by taking aim at the shooting gallery, or swing at the undead at the “Whack-A-Zombie.” Step right up because Mr. Carnie is waiting to take your money.  Whatever you do, be careful as you walk through CarnEvil not to get sliced by Black Bart the Knife Thrower Extraordinaire.  Bart is good, but he jumps around quite a bit.  Even his accomplice is uneasy!  If you are truly up for some intrigue, pop into Travis Louie’s World of Otherworldly People Side Show Tent. Twice Head Fred welcomes you to have your curiosity satisfied as you enter an extraordinary world of possibilities and oddities.

The two main attractions, the Haunted Carousel and LaGhosti Theatre, overlook the town carnival.  The Carousel is fun for children of all ages, but judging by the characters currently spinning round, you might should look elsewhere.

The Red Carpet is out tonight for all of the celebrities, and the golden skeleton arms rise up to hold the velvet ropes.  One of those famous Skeleton Celebs, Skeletom Cruise, thought his time was too precious to find a parking spot.  He thought the best place to leave his ride, the flame emblazoned hearse, was at the front door.  Skeletom’s front door parking place may be a result of his ambivalence toward the other people of Dead Creek Swamp, or it might have been the strong odor from his breath.  If you are lucky enough to have a ticket to this week’s premiere, enjoy the show…just don’t mind the screams!

Stay tuned … the next installment will be for the Cemetery and Farm House!