13 Skeletons: A Halloween Tradition Lives On In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The spooky tradition of skeletons emerging at Jim and Joann Adam's Bridgewater home continues. This time the couple has returned to its roots by featuring an ever-evolving display on their front lawn.

"We are back to the way we used to display it," said Jim Adams to Patch.

Last year, the Adams put on an extensive mini spooky theme park in the back of the property that limited viewers to ticket holders. The Adams wanted to return their display to their front lawn at 948 Route 202/206 for everyone to see.

The theme this year is a continuation of last year's three sisters. This year, the Three Sisters Seed Company sold seed packets at an antique store. Skeletons planted these seeds and grew some Bam Boo Berry, Snozzberries, Creepy Carrots, Three-Headed Lettuce, Marshmellow Grass and Rotten Bananas.

The Adams used actual food to stock their garden. While locals and drivers passing by enjoyed the scene so did the deer.

"The deer ate all of our Creepy Carrots!" said Joann Adams. "They also loved the marshmallow grass and rotten bananas."

What the skeletons didn't realize was that one of the seed packets labeled with the "pi" symbol would swell into a vine that grows to consume them, said Jim Adams.

The vine was donated by the Adams neighbors Art and Marge Dymnioski.

"Jim saw the vine in their tree and asked if we could have it. It was really gnarly. I think they were more than happy to get rid of it," said Joann Adams.

The couple had to stop traffic on the highway just to drag the enormous vine over to their property.

The spooky garden display has been evolving all month with locals able to stop by or drive by and see. The finale will feature a large Pumpkin Head figure on Monday.

From Saturday, Oct. 22 through Halloween, the public can drive by or stop on the shoulder in front of the property to see the display lit up with some spooky surprises such as a floating scarecrow head or singing pumpkins nightly from dusk to 9 p.m.

The scarecrow, named "Dangle," was donated by Melissa Diane's preschool class at St. Ladislaus Preschool in New Brunswick

"We ask that you do not get out of your car," said the Adams.

Drivers were also asked not to stop on the opposite side of the highway for safety precautions.

This year, the Adams are turning their Halloween display into a way to help the homeless and veterans.

"Every year my mom would donate socks," said Jim Adams of his mom Carole.

"Carole would go to the dollar store and just buy socks to give to the homeless," said Joann Adams.

In tribute to Carole, donation boxes will be set out front for the public to drop off socks. Only new, packaged socks will be accepted.

After Halloween, Jim will personally deliver the socks to those in need.

The entire display is a family event as their children helped contribute to painting signs and setting up the electrical components. The Adams also thanked Mark Langston who helped.

For more information on the display visit 13skeletons.com or facebook.com/13skeletons. The Adams also have a 13 Skeletons picture book "Circus of the Night" — based on a previous Circus theme — for sale on their website.

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