Jolly Roger Costume

I remembered seeing a Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) parade where large skeletons on pole were carried through the streets of Mexico. It came to me that by attaching the skeleton to the carrier (my older son), and covering him in black, I could make the giant skeleton appear to move on its own. Pirates have become a popular theme in the last few years so I used it to give the skeleton personality. I made the skull, ribcage and pelvis from a chicken wire frame covered with paper mache'. I painted it white with black for the eyes and details. Some striped fabric became the head rag and shirt and a sheer black fabric covered my son's head. The spine, legs and arms are pvc pipe and attached to him at the wrist and ankles. His gloves and shoes were painted to become the skeleton's hands and feet. I have sent photos that were made when it was light enough outside to show the "man behind the curtain", but when darkness fell, "Jolly Roger" walked alone.