Lewis VanDercar spent decades transforming his property in Wesley Chapel, Florida, into an unusual space filled with sculptures, artwork, gardens, unconventional buildings and other creations.
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VanDercar → spend → sculptures
It is now being reopened for the first time, reviving the property's Haloween tradition, Wesley Chapel Record reorted.
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Record → reopen → tradition
The artist became known locally as the 'Warlock of Wesley Chapel' because of the distinctive property he created.
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he → know → property
His connection with Halloween also goes back to the 1970s, when he lived there with his family and neighbours were invited over for stories, costumes, tricks and treats.
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he → go → stories
The Warlock Family Spookfest will be held on October 3 at The Warlock House Enchantment in Wesley Chapel.
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Spookfest → hold → Chapel
The family-friendly event will allow visitors to explore parts of the property while taking part in games, crafts, storytelling, live entertainment and other themed activities.
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visitors → allow → games
The event is also bringing back a part of the Halloween tradition associated with VanDercar.
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event → bring → VanDercar
Children attending the Spookfest will receive Warlock Apprentice Passports and can collect stamps at different themed stations.
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Children → attend → stations
The activities include pirates, mermaids, herbology, bubbles, carnival games, broom decorating and storytelling.
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activities → include → pirates
How Warlock House took shape
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House → take → shape
VanDercar moved to the Wesley Chapel area in 1973 and bought eight acres of land.
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VanDercar → move → land
He later built a dome-shaped, ivy-covered home that was designed to resemble a cave.
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that → build → cave
Over the years, he filled the property with concrete sculptures, gardens, artwork and unusual architecture.
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he → fill → sculptures
His work was not limited to his own property.
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work → limit → property
Before moving to Wesley Chapel, VanDercar drew Popeye cartoons from a Miami studio in the late 1930s.
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VanDercar → move → 1930s
He later served in the merchant marines during World War II and worked as an aircraft engineer before making a living through painting and sculpting.
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He → serve → painting
The unusual nature of his work also led to questions about whether he was a 'crazy' artist or a genius.
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he → lead → questions
In his December 1988 Miami Herald obituary, VanDercar responded to the description by saying, “I'm both.
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I → respond → description
I think us geniuses should be modest.”
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geniuses → think → ?
The property he created eventually became closely associated with his identity as the 'Warlock of Wesley Chapel'.
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he → create → Chapel
His grandson Bobby VanDercar now operates VanDercar Studio, a painting business in the Tampa area.
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grandson → operate → area
The studio’s website describes Lewis VanDercar’s concrete sculptures as having transformed the Wesley Chapel property into an artistic landmark.
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website → describe → landmark
Lewis VanDercar spent decades filling his Florida property with sculptures, gardens, artwork and unusual buildings.
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VanDercar → spend → sculptures
Halloween tradition returns
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tradition → return → ?
According to the Wesley Chapel Record, a neighbour named Jeff Daniels recalled that VanDercar “would invite us neighbor kids over at Halloween to tell us stories.”
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VanDercar → accord → stories
The new Spookfest is built around a similar family-friendly approach.
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Spookfest → build → approach
Rather than focusing on frightening visitors, the event will offer themed activities that children can explore around the property.
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children → focus → property
Children will use their Warlock Apprentice Passports as they move between activities.
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they → use → activities
They can collect stamps at the different stations and receive a special prize after completing their adventure.
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They → collect → adventure
The event will also include games, crafts, live entertainment, food vendors and other activities.
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event → include → games
Families can attend in costumes, although the organisers describe the experience as playful rather than scary.
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organisers → attend → experience
According to The Laker Lutz News, the festival will take place from 2 to 6 pm. on October 3 at The Warlock House Enchantment, located at 25950 Queen Sago Place in Wesley Chapel.
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festival → accord → Chapel
Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children aged 10 and older.
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Admission → age → 10
Children younger than 10 can attend for free.
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Children → attend → 10
Statuary tours planned in October
The Halloween event is not the only opportunity for people to see the property.
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people → plan → property
The Warlock House Enchantment will also offer statuary tours on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout October.
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Enchantment → offer → October
The tours are scheduled for 7 pm and 10 pm and will give visitors an opportunity to see the sculptures and other creations on the historic property.
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tours → schedule → property
The opening marks a change for a place that had largely remained behind closed gates.
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that → mark → gates
The Aporia
