Popular ‘Town Line’ Halloween Display Won’t Be Back Till 2024

A popular Halloween display that's usually set up on the town line of Dedham and Bucksport will not be back this year. The owners of the Town Line Cemetery say they will be taking a year off to recover from some damage the decorations sustained over the past few seasons.

According to the Town Line Cemetery Facebook Page:

"With a heavy heart and grave sadness, we are upset to inform you all that the Town Line Cemetery will not be able to open its gates this year. Through weeks of hard work and dedication, the critters simply aren’t prepared to show themselves to the public again just yet. No matter how much work we put in, the weather is simply not on our side this year. Our critters fear the impending weather conditions and will not come out of their crypt. "

Located at 2114 State Route 46, right on the town line of Dedham and Bucksport (hence the name, Town Line), Iris says this is a display that's had a little bit of everything through the years.

She used to get or make decorations for her husband Mike's band, Midnight Rose, to use during their Halloween gigs. Apparently, the collection grew to be so big, that they enlisted the help of family and friends to set them up in the yard, and the idea took off from there.

As it grew, the couple developed different themes for the display, and put many of the displays under little shelters, so they wouldn't be damaged by the elements. It's a process they'd typically start working on in August, and would take several days to put up and take down the different pieces.

Iris says there's usually a lot of different things for people to look at!

There's a clown tent and a party tent. There are witches and goblins and vampires, woodland creatures and zombies. It became a place where visitors knew that it was a neat place to tour, for both young and old, and not a place where folks would jump out and try to scare people.

Folks have come from near and far in years passed to see the Wood's displays. They've even had people get married amidst the displays.

She said one couple even had handmade his-and-hers coffins built for the occasion.

While it's been an unspoken rule that this is a "look-but-do-n't-touch display", Mother Nature hasn't followed the rules. And the weather and elements have taken their toll on the decorations. That's why they're taking the year off this year.

While many folks voiced some disappointment over the announcement that the beloved display would not be around this year, there was an overwhelming sentiment of excitement for when it returns next year.

As for Mike and Iris, they say they are looking forward to enjoying their favorite holiday together this year.

"We give endless thanks and appreciation to all of those who offered their own time to help aid us and volunteer through the season, and to all of you who are excited and willing to join us every year. We cannot express our excitement for when we can finally enjoy our favorite holiday together again. Never Forget to Stay Spooky!"

In case you needed some inspiration for a local Halloween costume...

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