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Upper East Side Family Continues Spooky Halloween Tradition

By DNAinfo Staff on October 14, 2010 6:32am  | Updated on October 14, 2010 6:36am

By Gabriela Resto-Montero

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

UPPER EAST SIDE — The ivy isn't the only creepy thing hanging off the Lasry family townhouse at East 74th Street.

Bloody, severed heads, screaming ghouls, skeletons and SpongeBob decorations have passersby doing double takes at an over-the-top Halloween display that has become a tradition for the family of hedge-fund manager Marc Lasry and his wife, Cathy Lasry, former president of the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee.

"It's more of a family thing we do to stay together," said Sophie Lasry, 18, one of the couple's five children, about the seven-year family ritual of decking their house for the season.

Decorations go up every year on Oct. 1 and don't come down until the day after Halloween, Lasry said. Trick or treaters start ringing the doorbell on the morning of Oct. 31, she said.

Over the years, the only complaint they have received about the display has been to turn down the family's favorite singing skeleton pirate that stands  guard by the front door.

"We just unplug him at night now," Lasry said.

Less scary decorations, like SpongeBob and an inflatable, smiling mummy, have sneaked into the display thanks to Marc Lasry requesting more kid-friendly items.

In that vein, this year's new decorations will include clowns— evil clowns, said Emma Lasry, 18, Sophie's twin sister. 

The pressure is on to make a more outrageous display, Sophie Lasry said.

"Every year, you always have to outdo yourself," she said.