A Florida artist spent decades creating this bizarre world. Now his family is opening it for Halloween
Florida artist Lewis VanDercar spent decades transforming his Wesley Chapel property into a world of sculptures, gardens and unusual buildings. His family is now reopening the Warlock House for a Halloween event and October statuary tours.
Lewis VanDercar devoted decades of his life transforming his eight-acre property in Wesley Chapel, Florida, into a unique and bizarre landscape. The late artist filled the site with concrete sculptures, gardens, strange buildings, and artwork, earning him the moniker "Warlock of Wesley Chapel." Decades after the property largely faded from public view, VanDercar's family is reviving its Halloween connection by opening the gates for the Warlock Family Spookfest on October 3.
The event will bring back a tradition that began in the 1970s when VanDercar lived at the property with his family and invited neighbors for costumes, stories, tricks, and treats. This year's Warlock Family Spookfest aims to recreate that playful atmosphere, offering families a chance to explore parts of the unusual property. Activities include themed games, crafts, live entertainment, food vendors, and more.
Children will receive Warlock Apprentice Passports and can collect stamps while moving between activities such as pirates, mermaids, herbology, bubbles, carnival games, broom decorating, and storytelling. The property, which has remained largely inaccessible for years, will also feature statuary tours on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout October, allowing visitors to see more of VanDercar's sculptures and unusual landscape.
Written by urgent.news from Live Mint's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
