Neighbor breathes life into local Halloween with pop-up cemetery

Published 6:45 am Thursday, October 19, 2017

Tashia Baugher’s daughter may be too old for trick-or-treating, but that hasn’t stopped the family from celebrating Halloween. In fact, they’ve expanded their celebration to include the entire community by transforming their yard into a collection of decorations and fun that trick-or-treaters of all ages can enjoy.

A tiny bridge invites you into the cemetery, where lights and police tape guide you among the graves. Look closely, or you might miss the grave’s inhabitants reaching out to greet you. Don’t spend too much time staring, though — there’s plenty more to see.

Email newsletter signup

A skeleton sways from a tree in the corner. Another cemetery resident waves from the fenceposts. Baugher said she’s considered adding even more undead life to the party by dressing as a zombie for the main event.

She won’t be the only one in the neighborhood celebrating. Baugher said neighbors who have lived in the area for years are excited about the decorations and planning to buy candy for any costumed travelers that happen by their doors, too.

“Everyone’s getting excited,” Baugher said, noting the decline of trick-or-treaters that left a profound effect on the neighborhood. She believes this could be the year the Halloween spirit comes back to her neighborhood.

Baugher’s pop-up cemetery can be found on the corner of Seventh Avenue and Mason Street in Athens, just east of North Hine Street.