When the skeletons show up on Holt Rd., you know it’s almost Halloween.
Anyone who regularly travels down Holt Rd. is almost certainly familiar with the imaginative skeleton display erected every year at the corner of Holt and Klem roads. They’re the work of George Baker and Melissa Baker and their family, and for the last four years they’ve been bringing smiles to the faces of children and adults alike.
George started erecting monstrous skeletons in his front yard for Halloween in October, 2023. At first, it was just one really big one, the big daddy of them all, standing a full 12 feet tall. That humongous skeleton alone, with its glowing eyes, drew a lot of comments and happy honking from the drivers passing by. So of course, he couldn’t stop there.
Every Halloween since, that Big Daddy skeleton has returned, joined by an ever-growing supporting cast. And each year, the menagerie is set up in a brand new creative and humorous display. Last year, the skeletons were recklessly competing in a bike race. The year before, they were playing on a playground and splashing in a kiddie pool.
This year, it seems the skeletons have stopped playing and finally found gainful employment. This Halloween they’ve taken on the roles of construction workers. A dozen 6-foot skeletons and two monstrous ones make up this year’s display, complete with bright orange construction vests and hard hats. A few are stopping traffic, several are peering at a skull which has appeared in the hole they’ve dug, one is climbing a pole, one is on his lunch break, and another (holding a clipboard) is clearly the supervisor. The two monstrous skeletons are keeping a close eye on the whole scene.
George Baker, who was a utility worker before he retired, came up with the idea way back in January. They were able to purchase all the hard hats and vests they needed on Amazon (even the huge ones, sizes 4X and 5X). And since the costumes came in sets of 12, they had to add a few more smaller skeletons to wear them.
As the season approached, finalizing the details was truly a family effort. Everyone pitched in with ideas as the project progressed. Then they all got together on Sunday Oct. 4 to put the whole scene together, in a work session which began at 11 a.m. and continued until after dark.
Melissa Baker wrote, “It is a lot of work, but well worth the joy and pleasure it brings to all who drive by. As we set up, people are honking, hooting and hollering and giving us a thumbs up. It’s great to see the smiles on everyone’s face. All the positive comments on social media also make our efforts well worth every minute. It is a great family bonding activity also.”
Thanks so much to George and Melissa Baker and their dedicated team of helpers: Ryan Moorman, Brendan Moorman, Nolan Moorman, Richard Moorman, Alicia Moorman, Brianna Bouwens and Chad Baker. Your efforts are bringing smiles to everyone who passes by.
Check out the display for yourself. It’s located at the corner of Holt and Klem Rds., and you are more than welcome to stop by and take a selfie.
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(posted 10/8/2026)
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