A CLYDEBANK horror fan is inviting Bankies to join him at a mad tea party this Hallowe’en.
Oli Keenan is back – for a fifth year – and his plans for this year’s spooky spectacle are madder than ever.
The 26-year-old is set to go through the looking glass, transforming his Linnvale family home into Wonderland.
The hotly anticipated annual event attracts people from across Clydebank and beyond and this year’s display is said to be the biggest and best yet.
Oli said: “It’s hard work but it’s always worth it. I’ve always loved the story since I was younger but it was actually my dad that suggested it.
“It was last year just after we’d finished the Hocus Pocus display and we were thinking ‘Right what are we doing next year?’
“That’s when my dad said had I ever thought of being the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland? Immediately I thought that is genius as I love the Tim Burton adaptation of it.
“When we pick a theme we always have to think of something that we can decorate for. So there are specifications as we need A. to be able to decorate and B. to have a well-known character that I can be.
“It’s going to look really cool.”
After recently returning home from Thailand Oli and his family have been working non-stop to ensure the Dalton Avenue display is good to go for 6pm on the 31st.
The pressure is on especially after Oli explained that he was recognised by a fan of the event on his flight home from Bangkok.
He added: “I was waiting up at the toilet at the back of the plane and a woman came up to me and said ‘Hi how are you?’
“At first I was trying to work out who she was and then she asked if I was sorted for Hallowe’en.
"I was like ‘Oh my gosh I am on a flight from Dubai to Glasgow and I’m being asked about what this year’s theme is.’
“She went on to tell me that she loves the display and her family drives down every year to see it, what a small world.”
Fans will be able to expect some of the best-loved characters from Alice in Wonderland as Oli confirmed there will be special guests.
There will also be an increase in the number of goodie bags available for children this year thanks to sponsors Aldi.
Oli said: “We’ve been painting six-foot props this week and getting all of that sorted.
"I also did a wee trial run of my costume and makeup the other day as I have all the bits now.
“It’s quite an elaborate costume so getting into the whole thing takes a good two-hour go.
"My mum is actually getting involved in the display this year for the first time as previously she’s always been behind the scenes.
“Aldi is also sponsoring us this year so they’re providing food for the tea party and the sweets for the trick-or-treaters.
“The sweet bags always go so quick, last year we spent hundreds and made nearly 300 and they were all gone within a couple of hours.”
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