2007 PARTY

Freaky Frights on Forest :: Reviews

• 2006 Q101 Review
• 2005 HauntedHouseChicago.com Freaky Frights Review
• 2005 HauntedIllinois.com Visitor Review #1
• 2005 HauntedIllinois.com Visitor Review #2
• 2005 Riverside/Brookfield Landmark : North Riverside officials seek safe streets for Freaky Frights
• 2005 Suburban Life : A Spook-tacular Success

A Boo-tiful Display of Halloween Spirit

October 31, 2002 — Times sure have changed as far as decorating for Halloween is concerned. It used to be that a pumpkin on the front porch was enough. Now it's lights and music and animated figures. And what one North Riverside man does every Halloween is absolutely-- scary. ABC 7's Frank Mathie paid a visit.

For some people Halloween is the ultimate holiday. Christmas, New Year's and July 4th are nothing compared to this late October fright fest. That's certainly the way it is for Mark Sajatovic of North Riverside, who decorates his entire block all by himself.

"It started about fifteen years ago," said Mark Sajatovic. "Every year I make three or four characters ... and this is what we got." And he's got plenty. Mark now decorates both sides of his block on Forest Avenue just south of Cermak. Somehow he convinces his neighbors to go along with the program.

"Thank God I've got good neighbors ... they let me use their property."

He uses the neighbors' lots and their electricity, but he does the rest. The ideas are his, the equipment is his and so is all the time consuming setup. He takes a week's vacation for that.

"Before it used to take like a day but now I have so much stuff it takes a good four days to almost a week."

Mark's theory on all this-- the gorier the better, no holds barred, and absolutely no restrictions.

"Some people say I go too far but I think I do a pretty good job."

As soon as the sun goes down they say this neighborhood is filled with thousands of visitors and over the years this project has cost thousands.

"It's probably around $20,000 I would think," said Mark, who is already working on next year.

ABC 7 : A Boo-tiful Display of Halloween Spirit

HauntedIllinois.com Review

Reviewed by: kiki12498
Date of Review: 10/16/04
Scare Factor: High
Overall Score: 10 (On a scale of 5-10, with 10 being the best)
Review: WORTH THE VISIT! Something different for every age! Best view at night (small kids during day) - park at the North Riverside Police Station on Des Plaines Avenue and walk north across train track to 23rd street, then east to Forest Avenue (2 blocks) - Viewing on 2200 and 2300 blocks of Forest Avenue. Great job to Mark and Jim, hands down!

Haunted Illinois Review

Thieves Vandalize Popular Halloween Display

(The Suburban Gazette)
By Debra L. Solomon
November 2, 2004 Issue 21, Volume 7

Just days after The Gazette Newspapers printed a feature story on the annual Halloween display on Forest Avenue in North Riverside, thieves stole more than 18 costly masks and display pieces. Neighbors of the Forest Avenue exhibit were upset to discover that the thieves ravaged one of the area’s favorite Halloween displays.

“It’s such a shame”, said neighbor Laura Culafic. “Mark is such a sweet and wonderful person. He works very hard to put on this show and so many people enjoy it. He does this for the enjoyment of the whole community. This was a cruel thing to do and I wish someone would come forward to return the loss and help solve this.”

Sajatovic said his security system alerted him when the thieves began tampering with the exhibit around 2 AM, Thursday. He then saw several teenagers running down the block. He notified the North Riverside Police Department and filed a report. Investigations are continuing.

To restore the displays, he began working on them early the next morning. “I had to replace the masks of all the that were taken and then check out the motors to be sure everything was working again,” said Sajatovic.

Chicago news stations were to be visiting the exhibit the morning after the theft. Several news stations had already featured the Freaky Frights on Forest as a favorite place to visit for Halloween fun.

Though the exact loss of the theft is yet to be determined, the greater loss would have come to the community if Sajatovic ceased his creative contributions. Calls to the Gazette office and comments made have all praised his efforts and contributions to the community.

“When something like this happens, it affects all of us,” said Culafic.

The Gazette has featured Sajatovic’s Halloween exhibit for the past two years. It is a fun and incredibly creative Halloween show enjoyed by thousands of all ages each year. And just as the friends and neighbors of Forest Avenue have said, it would be a shame to have the actions of thoughtless thieves ruin the enjoyment and fun for so many. If anyone has information about the theft, please contact North Riverside Police Department.

Thieves Vandalize Popular Halloween Display