Halloween Feast in Centennial Hills Now Feeds 300 Guests

Lyndsay Erickson expects to serve 300 people at her Centennial Hills home on Halloween night. The large gathering began five years ago when her son, Christian, was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. Medical treatments left him with a weakened immune system, preventing him from participating in traditional outdoor celebrations.

Erickson started bringing family meals to the front of their house to share with neighbors. She calls the annual dinner the “Witches Brew.” The first year, she estimated serving 20 to 30 people. Over the last four years, the number of attendees has increased. The menu for this year’s event includes cornbread, chili with toppings, and gumbo.

The diagnosis required extensive medical care. Erickson stated the family spent over 350 nights in the hospital during the last four years. Christian missed many holidays during that time. He said the outdoor gathering restores a sense of childhood magic. When asked about his favorite part of Halloween, Christian said, “Just getting candy and eating it.”

Neighbors have adapted their routines to support the family. Many residents now bring treats directly to Christian as they pass by the house. Erickson noted that this allows her son to trick-or-treat safely while staying at home. She described the interaction as fun for Christian, who sits and receives the candy from passing neighbors.

The family uses the event to support the wider community. At the end of the night, they box up leftover meals. They deliver these portions discreetly to local residents who need assistance. This practice began after the initial dinner and has continued for the past four years.

Christian remains the central figure in the celebration. Despite his diagnosis, he considers Halloween his favorite holiday. The event serves as a way for the family to maintain normalcy during a period of medical challenges. The gathering has become a fixture in the Centennial Hills neighborhood.

Erickson said the first round of chemotherapy and surgeries caused body weakness and immunity issues. These factors kept Christian from celebrating with other children. The front-yard dinner solved that problem by bringing the celebration to him. The event now draws hundreds of people to the street each year.