By Cheryl Conway
Another year around the full moon—expected to rise Sept. 26 and Oct. 26, just in time for Halloween—who knows what might be lurking just beyond the shadows at 5 N. Mount Olive Road in Budd Lake, where Skully, the 12-foot skeleton stands tall.
Fortunately, there’s no need to panic—Halloween is just around the corner and it is time for Skully to share his free costumes to anyone who is haunted by not having one for this year’s trick or treat. The third year for Skully’s Costume Closet expects to be a charm with more space and racks.
Skully’s Costume Closet runs through November 1 and is completely free for the community. Anyone is invited to stop by to pick out costumes, accessories, makeup, or other Halloween items.
Doors for Skully’s Costume Closet are expected to open on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Skully has been resting up and getting ready for the season.
“Skully has been a bit under the weather, he’s awaiting a new look and makeup,” admits his owner Minerva Adams, organizer of the initiative. “We will be unveiling him soon!”
While costumes galore will be the repertoire, a new enchanted theme awaits.
“We are trying to change up our theme for the Halloween season,” shares Adams. “We will again provide the costumes, participate in the Trunk or Treat.”
What is certain: The closet has expanded thanks to so many donations and growing supply of costumes every year.
“It was one side of the garage last year, we had to rearrange, remove and clear the other side for more racks and space!” admits Adams. “The costume closet is in the garage structure in our backyard; we put in a patio and sidewalk to the side door of the garage.”
Growing in popularity year after year, costumes come and go and get replenished, so no trick-or-treater goes without!
“We have all sizes, from infants to adult, inflatables, accessories,” lists Adams. Men, women, children, infants, skeletons 😊
“We had a decent amount used last year but we had a steady flow of donations from the community and Once Upon a Child was extremely gracious by donating a huge amount of costumes,” adds Adams.
The number of costumes donated each year remains a mystery, but some fear that Skully most likely knows.
Donations are always welcome.
“Donations can be any time, they can be left on the front porch or in the closet,” says Adams. “People can come by almost any time. In the evening hours we will turn the lights on. Mostly on the weekends at first and as we get closer, we’ll leave the lights on during the week. We will post times on the Skully Adams Facebook page.”
Skully also enjoys seeing photos.
“We love when we get sent photos or get tagged in posts,” says Adams.
As far as helpers, the Adams’ family got it covered.
“The kids helped clean up, hang and sort items,” says Adams. “Christian (husband) helped with the decorations this year.”
Anyone who knows the Adams’ family—no, not the one on TV—is familiar about how they like to bring the community together around Halloween. Each year, this family tries to create something fun and inviting for all to enjoy. From the lemonade stands, pumpkin patches and free costumes, Skully stands tall as a fixture/mascot with its family’s altruistic gestures.
“Halloween should be fun for everyone, and no one should have to skip out on dressing up because of the cost,” Adams says previously.
As far as this year’s pumpkin patch, the community may have to wait to see if anything grows.
“No pumpkin patch this year,” says Adams, “even though I did sneak some seeds in among my husband’s other plants in the front.”
For announcements and updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/SkullyRAdams
