‘I’ve loved Halloween since I was a kid. I was even born in October’- Tammy Stratton

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- The corner of East Forrest and North 8th Streets is not a lot different than any other neighborhood in La Follette; except during the Halloween season. Making that trek down the big hill on East Forrest from North 6th Street is not for the faint of heart, because at the bottom of the hill is the Stratton House. Oh, it’s not so much the house as it is all the frightful sights and sounds in the yard.
See the full photo gallery from WLAF’s Charlie Hutson HERE.

“I love seeing the facial expressions,” said the smiling keeper of the haunted yard, Tammy Stratton. Tammy with some help from her husband Barry are planning and buying stuff all year just for the spooky season. Tammy’s planning everyday for Halloween and calls it a continuous cycle.
Four-year old grandson Cullen loves the display. “He’ll step up, one feature will move, it’ll scare him, and then he goes right back to it. He loves it. He loves Halloween like Tammy,” said Barry.

Barry grew up in the house where he and Tammy now live, 506 East Forrest Street, and he thinks his late mom and dad would enjoy knowing that youngsters are once again flocking to their home for treats on Halloween. “It felt good have trick or treaters, maybe 50 to 75, come by last year, our first year of doing up the yard,” said Barry.
The going all out decorating for Halloween started at Jellico for the Strattons. They’d decorate around their camper as part of the festivities at Indian Mountain State Park.

Tammy was ahead of schedule for this year’s set up and was ready in late September. “I start in early September with the hope of being set up by the first of October. It keeps me plenty busy,” said Tammy. “She does 90-95% of all the work,” said Barry.
It all comes down in early November and goes back into Papaw Stratton’s old workshop.
All the decorations have bolstered the numbers on Halloween night for the Strattons. They extended the scary display into their neighbor Mr. Paul’s yard with hopes they can help increase his trick or treater numbers.

Halloween Eve and Halloween, on a Thursday and Friday this year, are when the Strattons pull out all the stops. From six to 10 each of those evenings, you can walk through the giant display, have your pictures taken at the photo station, get a treat bag, and even dance to the giant screen showing of the Thriller music video, like Meadow did last year.
You’re welcome to drive by as much as you like to enjoy all the frightful sights and sounds in the Stratton’s yard. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-10/06/2025-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)