SPRINGFIELD — Since last August, a 12-foot skeleton named Big Bob has watched over the corner of E and 5th streets.
Residents Megan and Shawn Waite have been decorating Big Bob for every holiday and significant event since Megan originally got her hands on the popular decoration.
Last year, Megan was inspired by another festively decorated, 12-foot skeleton in the Hayden Bridge area and knew she had to follow in suit for Christmas.
Soon after, she joined a Facebook group for 12-foot skeleton owners and found a variety of ideas for her decor.
“My neighbors say it brings a smile to their face, so knowing that it can spark a little joy during a chaotic life is enough drive for me,” Megan said.
When the couple originally bought the neighborhood staple, Shawn wondered where they would store Big Bob after Halloween. Megan’s simple solution was keeping it up all year long.
After a period of temporarily losing her inspiration for decoration, Megan saw people decorating for the Olympics on social media and envisioned her next masterpiece.
“I loaded the kids up, and we went to the craft store. we bought pool noodles and paint … and we just spent the day decorating our giant 12 footer as the Olympian,” said Megan. “I sent the picture to my husband, and he goes, is that Photoshopped? I was like, no, no, I really did something with it.”
Brightening up the neighborhood one holiday at a time, you never know what to expect when it comes to Big Bob’s fashion sense. As the seasons change the skeleton will too, so keep your eyes peeled for the Waite house decor.
