ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Towering 15-foot animatronic creatures loom in the darkness. Narrow corridors twist through a maze of shadows where live actors lurk, ready to emerge from hidden corners. This isn’t a professional haunted attraction – it’s the front yard of a St. Johns County home, transformed into a house of horrors by a St. Johns County teenager.
Preston Simmons, a 17-year-old Creekside High School senior, has converted his home on Fruit Cove Forest Road into a haunted spectacle. The elaborate setup features 74 animatronic creatures and a team of actors who guide visitors through tight, winding passages designed to maximize scares.
15-foot animatronics tower in the front yard of this homemade haunted house. (News4JAX)
“It just feels good. It feels pretty good to see all these people lining up coming to my house for this one thing that I made,” Simmons said.
What started three years ago with a single animatronic purchase has grown into a full-scale production. Simmons has invested over $10,000 in the project, funding it through various jobs and personal sacrifices.
“Right now working at Home Depot. Last year I worked at Spirit Halloween. I’ve been selling a lot of things from my childhood,” Simmons explained.
Despite the investment and months of preparation and building, Simmons doesn’t charge a dime.
“I love seeing the community come out here and go through everything and see what they think,” he said.
The free attraction has become a neighborhood highlight, drawing hundreds of visitors from across the community.
“It’s just has that real grassroots feel. It’s not someone that’s putting it together professionally, but it still feels so awesome and well done. We drive by here almost every day after school just because the kids love to see it,” said Courtney Azzari said with her son by her side.
74 animatronics surround a home on Fruit Cove Forest Road South for Halloween. (News4JAX)
Another visitor, Penelope Marino, said she had never been before. She heard about the haunted house from her friends and said she was excited to go inside.
“I love scary stuff,” she said.
The setup weaves through the side yard, backyard and garage to create a full haunted house experience. One visitor said they wouldn’t expect it in the neighborhood.
“Typically, you go to a shopping center to do something like this. Having it here, it’s just a part of our community. It feels like it belongs to us,” Azzari added.
Simmons admits he doesn’t even enjoy visiting haunted houses himself – but he loves creating them. He sees potential for this hobby to develop into something bigger.
Tight hallways, lights and actors bring together the haunted house experience at a St. Johns County teen’s home. (News4JAX)
“I really want to do something unique versus a lot of people and this is definitely unique, and I feel like this could be a very good career. And it’s great. It’s really cool. I love doing this,” he said.
Looking ahead, Simmons has ambitious plans to expand the attraction. He’s considering moving the haunted house to a warehouse next year to up his scare game.
For those interested in experiencing the haunted house, the final day of operation will be Sunday, with doors open from 7:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.
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