Friday, October 30, 2020

DRAGAN HOUSE

 
If your a regular visitor here...you'll know the tradition every year of this post. The Dragan House in Lambertville,  across the river from New Hope,  is a sight. Specifically the 100 block of Union street.  It's like entering a black light, Burton-esque cartoon nightmare. "Nightmare" because there's handmade figures there that are indeed creepy, but oh so fun. Each one is so artistically made and each beautiful in it's own right.   The genius artist behind these amazing creations is town resident Dolores Dragan. Dolores was the Lambertville art teacher for years before retiring and then started to make these fun characters in 1998 and has since become the talk of town. She had originally planned on a few....but it now has upwards of over 50 figures....each inspired by citizens in the area, and are made from branches and paper mache'. Last year marked the 21st year she has proudly displayed this Halloween fest at her home, which has become known as simply the "Halloween House". I don't personally know Dolores, but have talked with her every year I've been to see her place. One figure was even inspired by a ensemble I wore to a drag show several years ago she attended. That was so cool. She is one of the sweetest and gentle ladies too. And trust me...people come far and wide to see this spectacle. I dare even say, it's not Halloween till you've seen Dolores house for the season. 
At night it gets really cool, as she has them all out with black light.
These pictures are ones I didn't use last year. Alas....this is the first year Dolores didn't set up the display which takes weeks....due to the Covid pandemic. It just draws to big a crowd, so she thought not to set it up this year. But leave it to her and many business's in town. Dolores ended up loaning tons of places one or two figures to display in their shops, pubs, dinning establishments and place of bussiness so passer-by's and tourist to seek out and find them!

37 comments:

  1. Very Cool!! Covid is forcing us to adapt temporarily. All things pass.

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    1. Yep...next year!!
      πŸŽƒπŸ‘ΊπŸ‘Ώ

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  2. Omg so much FUN! I find that white in Halloween is sooooo very creepy and fantastic.
    And her idea of loaning her decorations was genius!

    XoXo

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    1. It is indeed so cool and needs to be be seen in the day and night. And such detail. There is one, like a 20's flapper girl where the cigarette is actually lit!

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  3. I love this post so much. I need these 'beings' in my yard!

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  4. I love seeing this post each year. How sad that she wasn't able to do the whole thing. We've all missed so much because of this damn virus. But, it is very sweet of her to loan items so people don't feel like everything is gone.
    Happy Halloween, Mads! 😘😘😘

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    1. I was rather sad to go by and not see it out this year. I took my mother to see it and that's how i discovered she didn't set it up. She had two on the porch and that's it. But totally get why. I don't blame her.

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  5. How absolutely fabulous!

    It really is the most creative Halloween display I've ever seen!

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  6. Oh how I wish I had an art teacher like that when I was in school! These are brilliant!

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    1. Oh me too. I have the feeling she inspired many.

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  7. It's a shame that Covid prevented the full display from being set up this year, but it must be fun to spot individual figures around town! Almost like a scavenger hunt or something.

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    1. See above comment to WHK. It was when we went to get our take out we saw them in Windows and other places. Very cool. Some seen in New Hope!!!!

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  9. Very talented! Very scary!
    xoxo :-)

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  10. I too always love this post. That last picture give me downright chills. That is so creepy!!!! Now I'm wondering which one you inspired???

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  11. I was wondering if she did the hoise up this year. William and I haven't been to see it in a couple years, but we used to make a point to go see it. Such talent! We always enjoyed it at night. A totally different feel. But how nice she shared them all over town. She certainly has added to them over the years. How cool is the huge full scale horse???

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  12. Amazing!!!!! Some people have so much talent!!!!!! I bet that is cool to see in person.

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  13. Very creative and wonderful!

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  14. I always love that house at Halloween. Last year was the first time I saw it in person. I could sit and play the cello hidden somewhere and play some haunting tunes.

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  15. Aren't they so cool creepy and yet chic?

    Even they look better then me when I get out of bed in the morning.

    XO and one for Jesus
    Miss R

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  16. Very "Tim Burton-esque"! Jx

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    1. I was thinking the same thing, Jon. However, I can't decide if the girl perched on the windowledge wearing Maleficent's wonky horns in the second photo is Chiana from Farscape, or Pris from Blade Runner?

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    2. Would you believe I have never seen either movie?

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  17. How thrilling. Such a talent. How nice that she found a way to safely share this gift this year! Thanks for sharing. I love a good tradition... like voting in each and every election one is eligible to. Oh, dear... now I want to break out my Tevye beard and start singing show tunes from Fiddler! Kizzes. Happy Frankenstein Friday!

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  18. was it your family reunion again???

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  19. You sure don't see that out here. That is truly amazing.Not some tired, been done to death, decorations there! I too am trying to guess which one you inspired???

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  20. She's quite a talented individual. Certainly not the run-of-the-mill store-bought Halloween displays we're used to seeing. I would gladly wear any of these creations!

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  21. Wow! This is amazing! What I especially love is that she decided not to draw a crowd by setting up her display...but lent them around town so that they can still be enjoyed for their season. She's a great human being.

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    1. Thanks for stopping in Debby! As much as we all missed seeing it this year, we can certainly understand her thought. She really is a swell lady.

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  22. What an awesome lady. And so giving to the community. Smart move not to draw the crowds this year, and even better to loan out the figures. Have a Happy Halloween, Maddie.

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  23. I love seeing this post every year. I hope Dolores gets to set everything up next time.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!