Skeletons of Vivian Line returned for their 12th season

The Skeletons of Vivian Line are back for another season, this time taking over The Skeletons Fall Fair. The spooky display features a Ferris wheel, a quilt judging contest, a rustic barn and jars of jam along with all the fun you'd see at the Stratford Fall fair earlier this fall.

The popular Skeletons of Vivian Line display was back for its 12th season, and this year’s theme was The Skeletons Fall Fair – complete with a Ferris wheel installation.

The skeletons are said to have arrived last week aboard a vintage 1948 Greyhound bus. The rotating display ran from Oct. 18 to 31, marking 13 days of Halloween fun.

The season kicked off with an Ambassador of the Fair competition, where skeleton judges Simon and Howie selected this year’s winner, who was announced the following day. On day three, the Fall Fair Grand Marshal was revealed – Carson Good, a special guest who previously won the Skeletons’ “ideas” contest three years ago.

From there, the skeletons have been popping champagne to celebrate the Toronto Blue Jays’ making it to the World Series, and embracing all things fall fair throughout the following days.

Not only is the elaborate display a community fundraiser, it’s also designed to bring a smile to the faces of visitors, both young and old, said Melissa McKerlie, creator of Skeletons of Vivian Line.

“The whole point of the skeletons is making sure we can bring a smile to the face of as many people as possible – it’s to make people laugh and smile every day,” McKerlie said. “The Skeletons of Vivian Line are all about bringing joy and making people happy.”

The display grows more elaborate each year, but this season stands out as particularly special. McKerlie said she isn’t sure if next year’s can top it, though she wouldn’t put it past the group of friends who gather each morning to help bring the display to life.

“We kind of always like to challenge ourselves in terms of creativity,” she said. “And we like to challenge the skeletons, too – like, how high can we get them to jump?”

McKerlie notes it’s not easy to come up with the unique displays, and she is especially thankful to local businesses, including Adams Building Supply –Shakespeare, who have offered help with discounts and support throughout the years.

"I've also been extremely grateful to local businesses who helped me out,” she said. “They are fabulous in terms of supplying lumber and things so I can build the props."

The display can be viewed along Vivian Line throughout the week leading up to Halloween, including Halloween night. McKerlie also hinted at a possible collaboration next year with the Stratford Fall Fair, which will celebrate its 185th anniversary.

Donations are accepted at the display and online, with every dollar going to Operation Smile Canada, a non-profit organization that provides life-changing surgery and healthcare to children born with cleft lips and palates.

This year, donations up to $40,000 will once again be matched by an anonymous donor, who first reached out to the family last year.

In 2024, the Skeletons of Vivian Line raised more than $45,000. Since 2018, the display has raised over $202,000 – enough to fund more than 840 surgeries. This year, McKerlie is aiming for another $40,000 or more to help support Operation Smile Canada.