Dad builds giant Halloween installations every year in his front yard - with some measuring more than six meters
- 7 months ago
Meet the dad who builds giant Halloween installations every year in his front yard - with some measuring more than six meters.
Tom Saltsman, 60, has kept up with the tradition for the last eight years.
So far he has built an enormous dragon on his roof, a spindly skeleton spirit, a spaceship and a moving rendition of King Kong.
Tom, who works as an architect, spends up to two months every year preparing the installations ahead of the spooky season.
His most recent project, which he built in 2022, was a 22-foot-high Egyptian god in his front yard.
Last year, he also turned his garage into an Egyptian tomb.
To complete his pieces, Tom often receives help from friends and family.
Last year, he recruited four painters - three friends and his wife, Brooke Saltsman, also an architect, who painted the hieroglyphics on the piece.
The tradition started eight years ago after an 80's horror-themed piece for a party went down well with his friends and neighbours.
Tom, who lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts, was so thrilled that he pledged to repeat his projects yearly.
Tom is self-sufficient with his installations, scavenging scraps from his workplace and building most pieces for less than £165 (200 USD).
The materials he uses are mostly plywood, bin bags and various types of foam.
The installations have garnered Tom the status of a local legend in Marblehead.
He has become so well-known that his daughter Parker Saltsman, 25, is recognised for her dad's projects.
She said: "I'm definitely known for my dad's sculptures. I feel like I'm desensitised to it now.
"It started when I was born. He used to make these really elaborate cakes for my birthday so I actually wasn't surprised [by the sculptures]"
Tom is humble about his pieces and considers them more of a hobby or a way to connect with people than a claim to fame.
He said: "It's just kind of a fun outlet for artistic purposes. It's mainly for the community to come and enjoy it."
"I appreciate the curiosity. People really get a kick out of it. I've got very patient neighbours.
"For the installations, there's always a portion that has to do with things that just appear. it's not a playset. it needs to look like it just appeared.
"The dragon looked like it just landed on my house, the spaceship too."
Tom Saltsman, 60, has kept up with the tradition for the last eight years.
So far he has built an enormous dragon on his roof, a spindly skeleton spirit, a spaceship and a moving rendition of King Kong.
Tom, who works as an architect, spends up to two months every year preparing the installations ahead of the spooky season.
His most recent project, which he built in 2022, was a 22-foot-high Egyptian god in his front yard.
Last year, he also turned his garage into an Egyptian tomb.
To complete his pieces, Tom often receives help from friends and family.
Last year, he recruited four painters - three friends and his wife, Brooke Saltsman, also an architect, who painted the hieroglyphics on the piece.
The tradition started eight years ago after an 80's horror-themed piece for a party went down well with his friends and neighbours.
Tom, who lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts, was so thrilled that he pledged to repeat his projects yearly.
Tom is self-sufficient with his installations, scavenging scraps from his workplace and building most pieces for less than £165 (200 USD).
The materials he uses are mostly plywood, bin bags and various types of foam.
The installations have garnered Tom the status of a local legend in Marblehead.
He has become so well-known that his daughter Parker Saltsman, 25, is recognised for her dad's projects.
She said: "I'm definitely known for my dad's sculptures. I feel like I'm desensitised to it now.
"It started when I was born. He used to make these really elaborate cakes for my birthday so I actually wasn't surprised [by the sculptures]"
Tom is humble about his pieces and considers them more of a hobby or a way to connect with people than a claim to fame.
He said: "It's just kind of a fun outlet for artistic purposes. It's mainly for the community to come and enjoy it."
"I appreciate the curiosity. People really get a kick out of it. I've got very patient neighbours.
"For the installations, there's always a portion that has to do with things that just appear. it's not a playset. it needs to look like it just appeared.
"The dragon looked like it just landed on my house, the spaceship too."