Ron Pippin, known as the Ogden Skeleton Man, continues a tradition of creating new skeleton scenes in his Ogden east bench front yard every day throughout October. The practice began during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide joy and laughter to the local neighborhood.
In a report published October 8, details emerged regarding the logistics of the skeleton displays. The setup process for the scenes takes between one to four hours depending on the specific production. The work begins well before the physical setup, as complex ideas can require significant effort to build. Skeletons are positioned between 4:30 and 6 a.m. to be ready when the neighborhood wakes up and remain on duty through the evening.
The displays often feature musical themes, such as Michael Jackson's Thriller, a rock band, or a marching band. While the crew rarely repeats a production, the annual selfie scene has become a fan favorite that has earned an encore. One member of the crew, Frank, serves as a bodyguard for the director. Challenges for the crew include managing autumn winds that can dislodge heads and the engineering required to balance poses, such as a marching band.
The project is self-funded, with Pippin noting that it requires significant money to maintain the displays. While the crew does not seek profit, they accept donated unused costumes, instruments, thank you cards, little gifts, and funds to help with future scenes. Pippin stated that the scenes provide something harmless and ridiculous for people to enjoy together amidst a world that can divide or weigh people down.
The skeleton scenes have been a staple of the Ogden community for seven years. One member of the crew is expected to become more animated in an upcoming production this year, though specific details were kept confidential.
