Spook-tacular Halloween Transformation: Andy Sennesael’s Ambitious Plans
Well, it looks like we have an enterprising character in Lo! Meet Andy Sennesael, age 36, a man who has decided to take Halloween into his own hands. I mean, what else is there to do on October 31st apart from sticking some pumpkins on your doorstep and praying for some attention? You’d think he was auditioning for the ‘Greatest House in the Neighbourhood’ award! Let’s not forget that his home on Willem Van Loolaan is now officially a beacon of every child’s dream—candy and spooky decorations galore!
“Everyone is welcome until 10 p.m.,” Andy proclaims, undoubtedly hoping that no one takes this as a personal invite for a “lost weekend.” But let’s get it straight, Andy’s not just handing out your standard, run-of-the-mill candy. No, he’s practically throwing a sugar-fueled rave for any child daring enough to ditch their usual haunts and shimmy on over to his skeletal sanctuary!
Now, Halloween’s origins might be rooted in the good ol’ US of A, where they treat spookiness like it’s an Olympic event, but here in Lo-Reninge, we’re still figuring out where Halloween fits in. Amusement parks have started to jump on the bandwagon, but let’s be honest, they might just be trying to make a cold, hard profit out of some cardboard cutouts and cheap thrills. Meanwhile, in our charming village, the only thing resembling Halloween so far is Andy’s house, decked out with glowing pumpkins and a skeleton that looks more cheerful than scary. Honestly, you’d get more fright from opening an overdue utility bill than this jolly fellow!
Andy clearly has a knack for transforming the ordinary into the gloriously bizarre. “Every year on October 31st, I decorate our house with the Halloween theme,” he declares, as if he’s inventing a new form of art. Meanwhile, we all know he’s merely tapping into the universal childhood experience: sugar highs and regrettable costume choices. But props to him for attempting to generate some local trick-or-treating vibes! The poor kids in Lo haven’t quite caught on yet, but with Andy’s enthusiasm, they might just trade in their usual video game marathons for a bit of spooky escapism.
And what’s this? It appears Andy’s got plans beyond the pumpkin patch! He’s reminiscing about his glory days managing Halloween decorations at a youth club in Koksijde, like he was the Picasso of plastic spiders. He dreams of a bigger event next year, where perhaps the whole town could get involved. Imagine that—a Halloween festival in Lo-Reninge where the only fright is seeing your neighbors in questionable costumes that should have stayed in the attic. It could be a chance for communal bonding, or at the very least, an opportunity to compare how many sweets you can consume before your teeth start hurting. Oh, the horror!
Ambition Like No Other
Now, let’s not be too quick to judge! If we wanted to live in a world where small-town folks didn’t go above and beyond to make the everyday a tad more magical, we wouldn’t be celebrating Halloween for Pete’s sake. So here’s to Andy and his glowing pumpkins, may they illuminate the way for all kids looking to score some candy tonight. Who knew that in this quiet corner of Lo-Reninge, one man’s quest for a comprehensive hall of spookiness could ignite the spirit of Halloween? Look out, you ghoulish spirits, because Andy is out to make Lo-Reninge the Halloween capital of the universe—or at least their street. Just remember, when you sip on that pumpkin spice latte later; it’s not just a drink—it’s a celebration of Andy Sennesael, the pioneer of holiday cheer! Until next year, folks!
The home of Andy Sennesael (36) in Willem Van Loolaan in Lo has been transformed into a Halloween house today. He calls on the children via social media to ring the bell tonight and receive candy. “Everyone is welcome until 10 p.m.,” says Andy.
Halloween came over from the United States of America. But the phenomenon is also becoming more and more known to us. Amusement parks are eagerly responding to this, but in Lo-Reninge there are not many brands there yet. Andy Sennesael wants to change that. He gave the facade of his home on Willem Van Loolaan a Halloween look with luminous pumpkins, a skeleton at a table and lights.
“Every year on October 31st I decorate our house with the Halloween theme,” says Andy. “Because trick or treating has not really been established here yet, I thought it would be nice to put a post in the Facebook group ‘Lo-Reninge chat’ so that children who want to dress up know that they are welcome and can get sweets when they ring the bell. . And perhaps adults would also like to take an evening walk and pass by.”
(Continue reading below the video)
Ambitious
The interest in Halloween is not accidental. “I used to take care of the decorations for Halloween at the youth club in Koksijde,” concludes Andy. “I want to continue that tradition here. Maybe next year it can be even bigger and more people will join in.”
Spook-tacular Halloween Transformation: Interview with Andy Sennesael
**Editor:** Welcome, Andy! It’s great to have you here. Your Halloween setup has certainly become the talk of Lo-Reninge! What inspired you to go all out this year?
**Andy Sennesael:** Thank you! I’ve always loved Halloween, and this year I wanted to do something special for the kids in our neighborhood. I felt like Halloween wasn’t really established here, so I thought, why not create a fun, spooky environment? I want to bring some joy and excitement to the community!
**Editor:** Well, it definitely sounds like you’re achieving that! You mentioned on social media that you’ll welcome guests until 10 p.m. What kind of experience are you aiming to provide?
**Andy Sennesael:** I want it to be a memorable evening for the kids! I’m serving up a mix of traditional candy and some fun surprises—all while making sure the decorations create a thrilling atmosphere. It’s all about sparking that excitement and perhaps even getting more kids interested in trick-or-treating.
**Editor:** That’s fantastic to hear! Halloween traditions, especially trick-or-treating, seem to be gaining traction, albeit slowly, in Lo-Reninge. How do you feel about its growth in your village?
**Andy Sennesael:** It’s true—it’s still a work in progress! But I see potential. Events like this can help solidify a Halloween culture in town. I dream of organizing an even bigger celebration for next year, something that the entire community can join in on, making it a fun and interactive experience for everyone.
**Editor:** Now that’s an exciting prospect! You’ve mentioned your past experience managing Halloween decorations at a youth club. What lessons from that experience are you applying to your current transformation?
**Andy Sennesael:** Managing decorations there taught me a lot about creativity and community involvement. This time, I’m drawing from those fun-filled years to create an immersive environment where kids can explore and enjoy Halloween without any pressure—just fun and laughter!
**Editor:** It sounds like you’re not just creating a display but building a sense of community spirit. What would you say to anyone in Lo-Reninge who is hesitant about getting into the Halloween spirit?
**Andy Sennesael:** I’d say, give it a try! You don’t have to go all out like I did, but even a little decoration goes a long way in fostering a festive atmosphere. It’s a chance for kids and families to come together, make memories, and have fun. So let’s embrace the spookiness!
**Editor:** Thank you, Andy, for sharing your thoughts and plans! Best of luck with your Halloween festivities this year. May your home continue to be a hub of joy and fright for the little ones!
**Andy Sennesael:** Thank you! I appreciate the support and hope to see more families joining in the Halloween cheer!