Submitted by Lindsey Carlson
(October 21, 2026) — The Annual Haddam Trunk or Treat, hosted by Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services (HKYS), brought community spooky fun on October 17, 2026. Among the many festive displays, one local family took the event to a whole new level by bringing a massive, custom-built animatronic haunted house to life.
The masterminds behind the project are 11-year-old Cayden and his dad, Tyler Carlson. For the past five years, the duo has spent months planning and organizing their display for the community’s annual Halloween celebration.
Cayden’s passion for the spooky season runs deep; over the past five years, he has dedicated all of his saved money to collecting animatronics and frequently requests them as gifts from supportive family and friends.
What takes months of careful planning behind the scenes ultimately comes together in a whirlwind of teamwork. The entire elaborate haunted house structure, complete with professional-grade animatronics and immersive special effects, was built in just one day.
While Cayden and Tyler are the primary visionaries, bringing the attraction to life is a true family project. The entire family pitched in to set up the display before the crowds arrived and spent the day after the event working together to tear it all down.
Their hard work paid off, as the haunted house was a huge success, drawing crowds of amazed local families and adding extra magic to this year’s Trunk or Treat. For Cayden, Tyler, and their family, the exhausting weekend is always worth it. They love working together to create unforgettable, spooky memories for their Haddam neighbors year after year.
Photos provided by Lindsey Carlson
