Who We Are and What We Do
When Warren DiLeo moved from Ohio with his wife and son to a house in Washingtonville, he began decorating his property for Halloween. It started with simple props and a unique costume; he entertained trick-or-treaters, but that wasn’t enough. He hired a carpenter to build a coffin and graves and with costumed mannequins, strobe lights, creepy music, and fog, quickly created an annual Halloween attraction on the DiLeo front lawn. Fully costumed and in character, Warren would lie in the coffin holding a basket of candy and when the trick-or-treaters dared to take some, he would rise.
In 1984, the graveyard moved from the DiLeo residence to the St. Anne’s Church property in Washingtonville on route 94. Using volunteers from the church, the graveyard came to life. Warren rose from the coffin with candy, entertaining hundreds of visitors.
Although he dreamed of creating a haunted house, he was unable to find the time and means. Warren DiLeo died in 1992 and his youngest son, Chris (age 12), and Chris’ friend Robert Lyon (also 12) immediately took over the tradition. They decorated the DiLeo front lawn to the best of their abilities. They saved enough money to purchase strobe lights and a fog machine.
In the mid 1990’s, they formed a strong friendship with James Rogulski and together the trio brought renewed life to the DiLeo haunting tradition. In 1996, they decorated the DiLeo property elaborately and used several costumed volunteers to put on a show that attracted hundreds of people by foot and car.
The next year, the tradition returned to St. Anne’s where the trio set up an even more detailed graveyard than before and constructed a tent for electric chair executions that ran twice and hour for the enjoyment of over fifty spectators each showing.
In 1998, they haunted the cellars of the Brotherhood Winery for the benefit of the Washingtonville Police Athletic League. After months of planning, they designed and constructed what became arguably the best Halloween show ever at the Winery. Directing over sixty volunteers, the trio entertained more than three thousand patrons spanning two nights. Unlike many other Halloween attractions, they focused on acting and details, making the experience resonate for the patrons long after they had departed. The DiLeo haunted graveyard was given an immensely disturbing feel as it emerged from the concrete floors, amazing all who actually completed the journey.
The future, now, shall spawn from the past: we are now the limited liability company Delightfully Demented Productions. On October 28th, 2006, we haunted the cellars once again. This year, come join us in the Magic of Halloween.
