A Tinley Park family’s Halloween display has grown to nearly 200 decorations, animatronics and jump scares, and this year the crowds it draws are helping raise money for Special Olympics Illinois. Known as Ryan's Scaregrounds, the attraction began with one animatronic werewolf inspired by 6-year-old Ryan McCarron.
The display traces back to 2025, when Ryan became fascinated with a werewolf prop he had seen for sale at Home Depot and wanted one of his own, according to ABC7 Chicago. His father, Patrick McCarron, got the animatronic, named Tommy, and the family’s collection grew from there.
The display’s reported size varies: Patch counted an estimated 150 figures, while ABC7 described nearly 200 decorations. The reports do not clarify whether the figures reflect different inventories or points in the season.
A Family Project Built Around a Shared Passion
The McCarrons have built the display around a shared enthusiasm for Halloween. It includes a graveyard, a pirate ship and witches; Ryan’s favorite is a circus featuring 40 to 50 animatronics, according to Patch.
Despite the scale of the setup, the display is designed with younger visitors in mind. There are no live “scare” actors on hand, the report notes, just the animatronics and decorations themselves. The attraction sits at 20028 Silverside Drive and runs nightly through the season.
Ryan's Own Role in Greeting Visitors
Ryan is often on hand to greet visitors and show them his favorite decorations, ABC7 reported. Visitor Paul Siwinski told the station that the changing display gives people something new to see when they return.
Ryan has a rare chromosome disorder that once affected his ability to walk and talk, his family told ABC7. His mother told Patch that Ryan has 16P11.2 deletion syndrome and was nonverbal until he was nearly 5. The family says he now communicates well and wants to see and interact with visitors.
Turning Trick-or-Treat Traffic Into Donations
Hundreds of people visit the yard each season, and the gatherings have connected the McCarrons with other families in the special-needs community, Patch reported. This year, the family partnered with Tinley Park Police to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois. ABC7 reported that the effort had brought in nearly $2,500.
How donations support athletes
According to Special Olympics Illinois, donations support more than competition: they help athletes with intellectual disabilities grow as leaders, prioritize their health and thrive in every aspect of life. The organization’s description focuses on these outcomes rather than naming specific programs.
For the McCarrons, the display brings together Ryan’s interest in Halloween and a chance to welcome visitors. This year, those visits are also helping support Special Olympics Illinois.
