Popular Anchorage Halloween display finds new home, new cause

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - A new home has been found for a beloved East Anchorage Halloween display put up annually by one man.

Billy Stapleton’s spooky yet brilliant display — named Camp Crystal — that puts fright and joy into passersby at his house near East 16th Avenue and Turpin Street has become a sight for residents to come see each holiday season.

However, health concerns and other personal issues have forced Stapleton to find a new owner for the collection of items, which he estimates to be worth north of $25,000.

At first, Stapleton was looking to sell off his stuff, but after putting out the call last week, he decided to donate it to a good cause.

That’s where Erin Moore, the owner of K-HITZ 107.1 in the Mat-Su, comes in.

“I thought about it for several days. I said, ‘You know what? I’d rather see it go to someone who’s going to have the passion and desires [that] I have then turn it into a hobby.’ And I said, Erin, just take it. It’s all yours,” Stapleton said.

The Anchorage man said he donated his whole collection of Halloween-themed props and toys to Moore and K-HITZ co-worker Bob Lester to use as a fundraiser for Kids Kupboard, a Mat-Su nonprofit organization which helps provide free meals to children who are food insecure.

“Camp Crystal will be moving out to the Valley, and I will be partnering with Kids Kupboard so that we can turn this into a fundraiser and continue to feed children and bring joy to the community during the Halloween season,” Moore said.

Moore said there will be future discussions with the nonprofit on what exactly will be done with Stapleton’s beloved collection, but said it will likely be used to create a fun experience out in the Valley.

“Erin’s talked about how much she has a passion and love for Halloween. She shares the same passion as I do,” Stapleton said.

Stapleton said the only item not going to Moore and the radio station is his “Ghostrider” Halloween motorcycle, which is going to his son in Kenai. He said the bike is 25 years old and has 25,000 miles on it, calling it a showpiece more than a daily rider.

Stapleton, who was once homeless himself in Anchorage in the late 1980s, said he believes Moore will maintain the message of Camp Crystal, which has been “Unity in the Community.”

“That was my whole goal,” he said. “Let’s just put politics and religion aside. You know this city has gone through some really hard times with not just homeless teenagers in need, but homelessness in general.

“It’s a blessing. It’s just going to — [the] legacy is going to live on. I told her she can rename it, make it something of her own, and I get to come out and enjoy it and see what I’ve given away to her, and I’m looking really forward to it.”