A Journey to the Quirky Cemetery

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A Journey to the Quirky Cemetery

I kissed a frog in Sparta, Wisconsin. This wasn't a spontaneous act, but rather an exciting decision. The frog I’m talking about is one of the hundreds of giant fiberglass sculptures scattered across a sprawling lot that resembles a football field, located behind an unremarkable metal building along Highway Q. This is the workplace of FAST — Fiberglass Animals, Shapes, and Trademarks, a company that has specialized in creating these oversized roadside attractions, mascots, and even water park features since the early 1970s.

A Historical Footprint

Founded under its current name in 1983 by a man named Jerome Vettrus, FAST has played a significant role in the sculpture industry in the United States for over 50 years. Among their standout creations is a 200-foot sea monster at House on the Rock in Spring Green, Wisconsin, and a 145-foot muskie fish in Hayward. After each project, they retain the molds, which have been preserved over the decades.

A Cemetery of Humanity

Thus, a quiet field in rural Wisconsin has transformed into one of the most unexpectedly wonderful places I've ever visited. Here, you'll find giant skulls, oversized dogs, a colossal Santa Claus, and even enormous mice. The fiberglass molds have weathered the test of time, creating a beauty that feels almost ancient, like a relic from a long-lost civilization.

A Magical Tour

Walking through this site is both eerie and beautiful. Some molds have deteriorated, overgrown with weeds or submerged in water, while others remain in relatively good condition and could be reused immediately. This is truly the purpose of preserving the molds, as recreating them can be costly. So, this place is not just a cemetery; it’s a library, a catalog, an archive of American street art nestled among the tall grasses of Wisconsin.

Kissing the Frog

I stumbled upon the frog slide mold and, yes, I kissed it (still searching for my prince). FAST has been producing this frog slide for over 35 years. You might have seen one at a water park somewhere without even realizing it. I also tried out a few slides—why not? Afterward, I stood there imagining the places these molds have traveled, from being painted bright yellow to fiery red, installed at a mini-golf course in Arizona or a water park in Ohio.

Childhood Memories

I could picture the faces of joyful children, blissfully unaware that their beloved frog originated from a field in Wisconsin. The current owner took over around 2020, and if you visit during business hours, he might give you a tour. Everything is free and open 24 hours. While there are no amenities, the magic of this place is hard to describe.

Art from Waste

This tour made me reflect on waste and beauty. There’s something philosophical about a place where industrial byproducts become accidental works of art. FAST’s mold cemetery is not the only example. Ghanaian artist El Anatsui is famous for his shimmering tapestries made from discarded bottle caps, while artists at the summit of Everest have transformed abandoned oxygen tanks and wreckage into sculptures.

A New Life for Forgotten Objects

The things we throw away have a strange life when someone finds a way to see them differently. This is the gift that Atlas Obscura offers: we always lead you to places where others have truly looked and explored before you.

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