ORANGE PARK – When Jim Weatherford isn't working his full-time job, he's thinking of ways to spruce up his front yard and bring the community together.

For Halloween, he decided on letting guests walk the plank.

Every holiday, Weatherford, who lives on Plainfield Avenue, decorates his yard with eye-catching displays that tell a story - quite literally.

This year, Weatherford said his yard is the setting for a group of skeletons who build a boat in exchange for a bag of money and rum. After the not-so-great boat they built was discovered by the captain, they are thrown in jail as a punishment. And with the help of flying ghosts, the ship is rebuilt. But the story doesn't stop there. In fact, Weatherford said it's far from over.

That's because each night, at around 4 a.m., you can find Weatherford outside with a headlamp on, switching out the display and gearing up for a new day of storytelling.

Every day depicts a different scene in the pirate tale.

"It's like, OK, here's the next picture. The next image of a comic strip."

The display is the newest in Weatherford's catalogue. Last year it was his bright orange vintage Ford that created an oversized pumpkin. Before that, it was escaping skeletons, 10-foot spiders and witches. 

Weatherford said he started the intricate displays on a small scale back in 2021. Since then, it has grown to new heights and even reached new eyes. 

"I keep expanding it every year."

After his oldest son, Jimmy, passed away from Covid-19, he said the project continued as a way to deal with his grief.

Displays take him about four to five hours to build. Weatherford said he uses all recycled items. This year, he incorporated cannons using the motor of an old air conditioning unit, his rum bottles were crafted from old milk containers and the ship was built using donated planks of wood from local stores.

Additionally, with the help of windshield wipers, his animatronic captain steers the ship. The only things Weatherford said he purchases are electronic switches to turn his mechanisms on and off.

Weatherford said his skill can be attested to his time in the Air Force. When he was stationed in Tampa, he said he built a Christmas tree that created its own ice using an old water cooler. 

"I spent 20 years in the military. Actually, I used to teach electrical theory."

Halloween is not the only holiday that Weatherford said he goes all out for. Neighbors and passersby also have a front-row view to his ultimate Christmas decor. Last year's told the story of how the Grinch stole Christmas. Weatherford said he used an innovative lighting display.

"I want to be creative."

Weatherford said there's never a day that goes by that families aren't knocking on his door asking what's next. His wife, Lynn, said whether it's getting her nails done, running into Walgreens or even stopping through the drive-thru at McDonald's, she's often asked for an update. 

Their home is the hotspot for pictures and selfies.

"I always want people questioning."

As for ideas, Weatherford said he's always looking forward to what's next. He said a lot of his ideas often come from his young grandson.

"I take ideas that he has, however I don't let him see it until we're on Plainfield going to school."

Weatherford's overall mission is to bring something positive to the place that he's always called home. Weatherford was born in a three-bed hospital at the end of Kingsley and went to school at Orange Park Elementary. His father was one of the first plumbers in the town and an original member of the volunteer fire department. 

It's a legacy that he's proud to uphold. He said he hopes it continues for years to come.

"This is something I really value, and I'm not looking for anything. This is something I like doing."

Who knows what next year holds? There's always room for endless possibilities.