SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Many Land Park neighbors are simply spellbound by the Halloween season. 

You can tell who they are when the skeletons and spiderwebs begin to appear around Oct. 1. Mike Ricci, who grew up in Land Park at 8th Avenue next to Vic’s Ice Cream, can relate. 

“As a kid, I’ve just always been fascinated with Halloween,” Ricci said. 

His obsession with collecting Halloween decorations began as a child in the 1950s.

“We had a big backyard with a shed. Around fifth grade, I asked my parents if I could turn it into a haunted shed for Halloween and they agreed. At the time, there was a Stop & Shop at the corner of Sutterville Road, so I walked over and bought all kinds of Halloween stuff. After that, I began collecting papier-mâché pumpkins and that’s how my love for it all started,” Ricci said. 

Eventually Ricci grew  up and left for college. While he was gone, his mother gave away the pumpkin decorations, believing her son was done with them. 

“Those things would be worth a fortune now,” Ricci mused. 

It’s clear he’s recovered from the loss. Ricci began collecting again in 1981. Each September, Ricci retrieves over 21 plastic tubs from storage and turns his two-bedroom, one-bath Sacramento condominium into a magical celebration of the season. It’s a process, as each item is labelled, photographed and categorized. Whether it’s 50 cents or over $50, he treats every item with special care.

Ricci prefers vintage-style Halloween decorations and has several types of collections, such as various pumpkins with wicked smiles and black cats in witch hats. These are scattered among an array of glasses, cups, sparkly baubles, cards, wall hangings, candles and trinkets. 

Although many items are reproductions, there are a few originals. His most prized possession is a German decoration made the 1920s, which he bought for $10 at a Jackson antique store.

Novice collectors could learn a few things from Ricci. It’s not the cost of the item, as he explains, it’s all about what catches his eye. And collecting occurs all year. He might find four-for-a-dollar vintage-style cards and put them in Dollar Store frames or hit up the after-season sales at Michaels.  He will look online or scour Goodwill stores. A treasure could be anywhere. 

And Ricci isn’t afraid to add extra bits of glitter and flotsam if it seems appropriate. 

He’s also a bit proponent of supporting local artists and makers. Ricci will search for pricier one-of-a-kind pieces at specialty stores, holiday craft fairs and from local artists. 

Ricci admitted he’s felt the squeeze of inflation. 

“A box of 12 Halloween ornaments used to cost $29.99, now they cost $59.99.  I’m grateful I purchased most of the items when I did!” Ricci said. Yet it doesn’t deter him from going on the hunt for new additions. 

Excursions through Northern California are part of the fun too. Ricci might drive backroads past the Valencia club and up to Auburn, Grass Valley and Nevada City. 

He’ll travel to the Roseville Antique Mall or wander through Amador City and stop in Jackson or Dry Town. A few trips to Petaluma have been productive as well.  

And he isn’t always hunting alone. Kathy Jensen, his “forever girlfriend” of 22 years, flies down from their home in LaConner, WA, to join Mike in finding new treasures and exploring NorCal together. Since they go back and forth between homes during the year, they enjoy “Halloween hunting” up in Washington, too. 

Walking through the condo, visitors can tell Ricci has a great aesthetic eye. If he wanted to open a Halloween shop, he’d be a natural at creating enticing displays. But the retired banker and mortgage lender prefers collecting as a hobby. So instead, he and Jensen entertain friends at the condo, immersing guests in the Halloween spirit.

Ricci has considered the future of this special well-curated collection. Things will not be broken up and sold at an estate sale. 

There is enough to spread around to his grandkids; Lilly, Micheal Joseph, Emma and Marget. Much of it will be gifted to specific friends who love Halloween as much as he does.

Right now, at 73, Ricci has plenty of years left to revel in his hobby. You might find him out searching around Sacramento this week hunting for the next treasure.