Sierra Madre Family Takes Pumpkin Carving To Whole New Level

SIERRA MADRE (CBSLA.com) — Some families go all out at holiday time.

But as KCAL9's Stephanie Simmons reports, there is one Sierra Madre family that takes Halloween displays to new heights.

It all starts, she says, with an army of pumpkins.

Simmons met the Parkers, who live in the 100 block of East Alegria Street.

"We'll do something with pumpkins that people don't usually associate with pumpkins," says Doug Parker, making perhaps the understatement of 2014.

Parker and family have been carving up pumpkins and displaying them for two decades.

"The flying dragon is new this year," he says, displaying pumpkins carved to resemble a free-floating dragon.

Parker, his wife and his brother-in-law Chris, who flew in from North Carolina just to help carve, create spooky displays in the Parkers' front yard using pumpkins.

Even more impressive, he grows the pumpkins himself.

"I grow for this; I don't grow for competition or anything. My biggest this year is 450 pounds," he says.

The Parker clan carves for days leading up to the big day.

"We do water features, and we do kettles, spaceships and traditional face carvings," Parker says.

Once the kids make their way through the yard, they arrive on the porch. There will be 125 pounds of candy and 85 gallons of cider.

But, Simmons reports, the fun doesn't stop there.

"The living room becomes the parlor, and this gentleman is trying very hard to get out of purgatory," says Heather Roberts-Parker.

The Parker piano, the furniture, even the knickknacks, everything inside the home is touched by Halloween decor.

"The community is so supportive, and it lifts us up because they're so appreciative, Heather adds.

Like every year, Simmons says, when you check out the Parker house on Halloween, expect more than treats and be prepared to be impressed.

"You're either all in or you're gone. There's no in-between on this street," Doug says.