This Texas 'Skeleton House' has a spooky and heartwarming backstory
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Over the last year, a Lubbock house has put a smile on the community's face with its scene of skeletons in the front yard.
The mastermind behind the skeleton set-up, Justin Locke, told EverythingLubbock.com why he arranges the skeletons in his yard.
"Halloween is a special holiday for us," Locke said.
Locke and his wife, Mandy, got married on Halloween at Nightmare on 19th Street nearly seven years ago. The pair celebrates October birthdays and decided to make October an extra special month for them by saying "I do" on the spooky occasion.
The skeleton scene started when Locke got a 12-foot skeleton and decided to get him a friend, and then a couple more. Today, Locke has over 20 skeletons, not including the baby skeletons.
After Halloween last year, Locke and his wife decided to decorate the skeletons for Thanksgiving and Christmas, the skeleton scene then continued for Valentine's and St. Patrick's Day and every other holiday and event throughout the year.
"It's just good, clean fun," Locke said.
Locke said he makes a new skeleton skit about once a week and will usually spend the entire day re-arranging the skeletons to perfection with the help of zip ties, fishing lines, rebar and of course his wife, who is always willing to lend a helping hand.
"She is the most supportive wife I could ask for," Locke said about his wife, who encourages his new hobby.
During October, Locke planned to leave Easter eggs on his skeleton skits referencing a movie. Locke encouraged the community to comment with their movie guesses on the Skeleton House Facebook page. Those who guess correctly will be entered in a drawing that will take place on Halloween. Locke said the first-place winner will get a $100 Visa gift card while second place will get a $50 donation to the South Plains SPCA.
The Skeleton House has received largely positive feedback from the community. Locke and his wife love to put a smile on people's faces and meet those who pass by.
The couple doesn't plan on stopping their skeleton skits anytime soon. "It's going to stick around for the future," Locke said.
As trick-or-treating has dwindled in recent years, the Lockes hope to provide a safe and fun spot for trick-or-treaters to stop by and take pictures.