Photo: Brooke McCarthy / WBZ NewsRadio
MARBLEHEAD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — It's that time of year again where ghouls are on the prowl for Halloween, and for Marblehead, that means the annual unveiling of a monstrous Pleasant Street driveway creation— and this year, it's something that slithered straight from Egypt.
Every year, Tom Saltsman of SaltsmanBrenzel crafts a new large-scale installation right in his own driveway to the amazement of passing trick-or-treaters and spooky season enthusiasts. It's become something of a community spectacle, and according to Saltsman, it's been a growing tradition ever since he helped decorate his children's elementary school for its "MONSTER MASH" fundraiser 15 years ago.
Saltsman keeps the themes of his annual Halloween creations a secret until the big day, when he unveils the year's sculpture at a public opening. WBZ's Brooke McCarthy was at the reveal, where Saltsman pulled back the curtain on the Egyptian cobra goddess Meretseger, who stands at around 20 feet tall on the pavement in a coiled up position, holding a golden ankh symbol.
According to the Brooklyn Museum, the name of Meretseger roughly translates to mean "she who loves silence." Saltsman's installation prominently displays her hybrid appearance with the head and arms of a woman and body of a cobra.
"Cobra goddess Meretseger was a guardian of the tombs— if you enter into her coils, she takes you to this place," Saltsman said.
In years past, Saltsman's installations had themes of a walking man, a gorilla, a ghost ship, a dragon, and a spaceship. With a background in theater design, architecture, art, and electric programming, Saltsman says he uses discarded job site materials, custom parts, and assemblies to source his work. Each work has an exterior and interior element which is located inside Saltsman's garage, including visual and audio components.
"The feedback I've been getting from the town and from people's enjoyment of it has been pretty amazing— and certainly not what I had expected. I've explored animatronics and cable mechanisms and different kinds of materials. It's amazing how kids have been impacted by it, they love it every year and talk about their favorites," Saltsman said.
Read More: In Lincoln Smash Pumpkins, Feed Pigs, Reduce Waste At Great Pumpkin Smash
The brainstorming phase of the process takes place in August, and in the months following, construction begins with the help of others in the community.
WBZ's Brooke McCarthy (@BrookeWBZ) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App