The skeleton family of “Dee Ceased,” seen here in 2021, have taken different forms over the years at the Hayter home on Gardenia Avenue, changing with the seasons and even day to day. They will make their first appearance outside the home at this year’s Skelebration Trail event Oct. 19.
By: Andy Kozlowski | Madison-Park News | Published October 11, 2024
MADISON HEIGHTS — A dance party, the skeleton family of “Dee Ceased” and more await those who venture down this year’s Skelebration Trail.
Taking place from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at Civic Center Park, 360 W. 13 Mile Road, the Skelebration Trail is the new name for the Trail of Treats, formerly the Pumpkin Walk.
The family-friendly event is free, and once again organized by the Madison Heights Arts Board.
Preregistration is required by emailing event chair Laurie Geralds at lbgeralds@yahoo.com. There are three time slots of 125 people each. In the event of inclement weather, the rain date is Sunday, Oct. 20. Parking and entry are from the fire station parking lot, behind City Hall near the courthouse in Civic Center Plaza.
Attendees will follow a one-way trail, in order to keep people spread out as they visit the different stations featuring treats and activities, Geralds explained.
The path will wind between the pavilion near the fire station and the painted shelter building — the mural of which was another project by the Arts Board, one of several in the city.
Geralds noted that many kids up to age 10 enjoy the event, as do older kids. She said she encourages people to leave the earlier two time slots open for younger families, if possible.
In addition to different stations featuring games and dispensing candy, there will also be a dance party called “Rock the Heights,” at the new bandshell that was built with grant funding from the Consumers Energy Foundation. The bandshell recently made its debut as the stage for the climactic Battle of the Bands during last month’s fifth annual Trail Tunes, also organized by the Arts Board.
Among those in attendance will be the skeleton family of “Dee Ceased,” which first appeared at the home of Holly and Michael Hayter on Gardenia Avenue in the fall of 2020.
The skeletons — one of them 12 feet tall — have entertained passersby over the years with ever-changing displays for each holiday and season. The Skelebration Trail will mark their first public appearance outside of the Hayters’ yard.
“We’ll have a few of the skeletons there, at least three of them,” Holly Hayer said. “Right now, we have seven skeletons — and three skeleton dogs — out in the yard. Two of them are hanging off our tree, and we change them up every three to four days, just depending, so people like to drive by the house to see what’s new and how they moved around.”
She said the skeletons provide some much-needed levity at a time when people feel stressed by world events, an election and the economy.
“They just put a smile on people’s faces. They make people smile,” Holly Hayter said. “When I was asked by Laurie (Geralds) to make them a part of the Skelebration (Trail), I thought it was a great idea not only for the city of Madison Heights, but also for Mike and I and the kids, seeing our little display out there for everyone to enjoy. These guys are just so much fun.”
Geralds said that the Skelebration Trail is made possible with generous donations from community groups such as the Madison Heights Food Pantry, Madison Heights Friends of the Library, the GFWC Madison Heights Women’s Club, Hopcroft Funeral Home, Joyful Jungle, and the city’s police and fire departments.
Individuals can drop off donations at the city manager’s office, located inside City Hall at 360 W. 13 Mile Road, with checks made payable to “City of Madison Heights,” and “Skelebration Trail” on the memo line. Volunteers are also needed to help along the trail and work at the stations. Those interested can email Geralds at lbgeralds@yahoo.com for more information.
Roslyn Grafstein, the mayor of Madison Heights, said the event is always a fun experience.
“It’s something free that brings the community together and that everyone can enjoy regardless of their financial situation. Anyone can bring their family and kids, in costume or not. It’s also a great way to meet our police and fire departments, and it’s always fun to see the kids dressed as firefighters or police officers, standing alongside real-life police officers or firefighters,” Grafstein said.
“Not everyone can go out Halloween night, and not everyone wants to go to a stranger’s door trick-or-treating, or to feel scared,” she added. “This takes place in our park — a familiar place that feels safe. I always enjoy going and seeing the different decorations, and the different groups that come out to support the kids. And the kids, they just have a great time.”