DETROIT – Kingston HooSang, 8, loves Halloween.
“We would go around to surrounding neighborhoods and check out different displays,” said Kingston’s mom, Joline HooSang.
Last year, Joline and her husband promised Kingston that he could put up a Halloween display at their Detroit home near 7 Mile Road and Livernois if he saved up his money.
“I was just surprised how fanatical he was about it because, at one point, my husband was like, we are going to have another inflatable meeting,” Joline said.
Kingston was ready to go by summer, saving up $345.
“I had so much money,” Kingston said.
He had August circled on his calendar. That’s when he expected Halloween merchandise to be available at stores.
“We were going to Home Depot literally every week checking to see if they were selling any of the Halloween decorations,” Joline said.
Neighbors took notice as Kingston’s appreciation for Halloween started to take shape in August in the HooSang family’s front yard.
“I was just certain that they would just be irritated or annoyed at the fact that it was up in the month of August,” Joline said.
Kingston interjected, “How were they annoyed?”
“Just because it is not the month that we are celebrating Halloween, Halloween is in what month,” Joline said.
He answered, “October.”
Every morning, Kingston checks on his display.
“I check my anchors like this,” Kingston demonstrated.
“Oh, OK. You make sure they don’t fall over,” Joline said.
“Yes,” Kingston said.
The display is making for a memorable Halloween for Kingston, who can’t take part in some holiday traditions because he’s unable to swallow.
“Usually, when Kingston goes trick-or-treating, typically he just gets candy of, which he can’t ever eat. So this allows him to continue to enjoy Halloween on his own terms,” Joline said.
Kingston hopes his display brings as much joy to others as it does to him.
“I want people to feel happy,” Kingston said.