ABOVE: Many skeletons, with different costumes and props, stand in a yard on Albion Avenue in Fairmont, ready to contribute to Halloween fun.

FAIRMONT — Halloween, the night of frights, is just around the corner. While visiting the 400 block of Albion Avenue in Fairmont, many people may notice the impressive display of roughly 30 skeletons, each with their own story and costume, in a single decorated yard.

The mastermind behind it all is Fairmont resident Brian “Pete” Petersen.

The plan first began in 2020 when Petersen wanted to add something special to Fairmont’s Halloween.

“I had some ideas and always wanted to do something, would never put much thought into it. And then, until like two days before Halloween, ‘Oh, I should do this.’ I started writing stuff down. There’s a ton of traffic that goes by here, goes up to Woodland Avenue, and I was out here in the cold one day, I watched all these kids go by, and nobody was stopping. I was like, ‘I’m gonna change that, ‘” Petersen said.

Petersen said he worked on the decorations in different stages, and it is now complete. Each year, he tries to find a ‘main theme’ with the decorations and connect all of them. He aims to bring humor with these displays.

Petersen explained that the entertainment he derives from preparing the skeletons is what has led him to continue setting up the decorations for five years.

“It’s become a hobby. I enjoy it,” Petersen said.

He said that the community hasn’t hesitated to show appreciation to him for adding some more color to the holidays with the unique skeleton displays.

“People I don’t know at all walking by, and stopping me and telling me, ‘Hey, I love what you’re doing, ‘” Petersen said.

As one of the most Halloween-themed decorated homes in Fairmont, Petersen said he’s happy to bring humor to the community and greatly enjoys the reception.

This past year, Petersen also decorated the skeletons for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Fourth of July and back to school season.

Petersen explained that he, among hundreds of community members, will join the Halloween festivities across Fairmont and hand out candy to trick-or-treaters on Oct. 31.

As for upcoming decorations for more holidays, the community will have to wait and see what Petersen has in store. He plans to continue his tradition of decorating his yard with skeletons for the holidays as long as he continues to enjoy it and has ideas.