A regular reader here of several years will know the tradition of the Dragans. I have featured them over the years many times this time of year. They are all creatures made with love, wire and papier mache and other materials, and each one has its own unique personality. For more than 20 years, visitors flocked to North Union Street each Halloween, where it's big business. On Halloween night, so many people are in costume and trick or treating, all the streets literally shut down, and flood with town folk and visitors. But Dolores Dragan, a retired high school art teacher created the Halloween House, affectionately known, became local legend- drawing thousands to marvel at her hand crafts sculptures, color characters and playful scenes that transformed her huge house and yard. I love talking with her when I go into Lambertville from New Hope. Such a warm person, and she told me once how each character was based upon someone she knew or other town folk. But since moving I just heard from a friend, Dolores decided to stop the labor-intensive work setting up her home for Halloween and asked the Lambertville Creative Arts Fund to carry her work to a new chapter and share the magic. Her beloved creations now come to life as the Memory Maker's Trail of Magic- a month-long, citywide celebration produce by the group, and the creations appear throughout Lambertville shops, businesses, store fronts, dining establishments and community spaces. In the few times I met her, it was never about the decoration she said but rather the role of memory making. She always said she wanted kids to remember this when they're 70. I know I never saw anything like it. Here are some of my pictures from over the years.
While the set up might not be the same as seeing all the gang altogether, well over 80 creatures, not to mention at night with black light, its great she loaned them out all over town. Dolores gave this town a gift that went far beyond Halloween- she gave us a moment of fun for a holiday and memories that will last.
Amazing creativity! Photos 4, 5, and 7 remind me of Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas -- was Dolores Dragan inspired by that movie?
ReplyDeleteI have no idea....but it is what I thought of when she first started creating these. I can recall when she only had about 10 figures.
DeleteWhat a body of work -- no pun intended. They are great. I wonder if she gave each one a name since they're based on people she has known. I wish I had some living with me, although they'd drive Princess and Alice crazy. The girls would be trying to figure out why the figures don't move when they bark.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I can recall when flapper lady one she made...that had a cigarette in her hand...and the end of it even lit up orange.
DeleteThat is so cool.
DeleteOh how I would love to be a part of that.
ReplyDeleteMy favourites are the Tim Burtonesque ones on the front porch!
ReplyDeleteOMG fabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteI would make sure to pass by EVERY DAY.
XOXO
Every time friends come this time of year...they always ask to go to see the newest members of the gang. When it was at her house it was something to see.
DeleteI like this.
ReplyDeleteLove this, and what a great gift to anyone walking by. They're spooky and chic and scary and funny all at once.
ReplyDeleteAmazing work, and so wonderful that the community is continuing the tradition.
ReplyDeleteYes isnt it? She is in her 70's now....I'm sure arthritis played a part. She is a very warm and friendly lady.
DeleteThat is an amazing piece of history, and it shows how the whole town gets into the spirit of Halloween. Thanks for the posting
ReplyDeleteHalloween is HUGÈ.... HUGE in New Hope and Lamberville and Bucks County in general. I've never seen anything like it.
DeleteLet's hope the weather stays dry.
ReplyDeleteShe use to go out and cover them in plastic if it would rain when she had them all in her set up when it was at her house.
DeleteThose are amazing. She's to be commended, and thanked for her gift.
ReplyDeleteThat looks cool!!!
ReplyDeleteFabulous!
ReplyDeleteTrès créatif et incroyable !
ReplyDeleteEt une présentation tellement grandiose; ces créations me rappellent Cendrillon, Marie-Antoinette et May Belfort.
Mademoiselle Dragan est un cadeau pour Lambertville :-)
-Beau Mec à Deauville
Magical! I love that, when it became too much for her, the entire Town got involved.
ReplyDeleteI could see a few of these on your balcony Shirley. And at night with the black light...they are so cool and chilling.....
DeleteWhat a marvelously created person! Lambertville is lucky to have her.
ReplyDeleteShe's quite a talented individual. Certainly not the run-of-the-mill store-bought Halloween displays we're used to seeing. I love seeing these every year here.
ReplyDeleteAmazing!!!!! Some people have so much talent!!!!!! I bet that is cool to see in person.
ReplyDeleteI have seen this three times over the years and always loved. I can recall a fat one she did one year....I could relate to that one! LOL! Sad it won't be seen as a whole again, but still cool they are now all over town. What a great way to get out towners to walk everywhere and see the charming town.
ReplyDeleteThat is incredible. The lady and her creations are beyond sweet and unique. I saw a special recently that featured New Hope and Lambertville. Charming towns for sure. Halloween must be fun there.
ReplyDeleteLiving in Philly, I can't believe I have never yet been to seeing this.
ReplyDeleteYour right about the remembering. I still recall seeing it the first time. It was so cool to see and have yet see anything like it.
ReplyDeleteBeyond cool henny!!!! I would love this!
ReplyDelete