Meet the Man Behind the Annual Hay Creations in Hamilton

Alton Bynum and his family are famous for their annual hay creations outside their house on Bridge Street in Hamilton.

Name: Alton Bynum

Street: Bridge Street, Hamilton.

Family: Seven people; five children, four girls and a boy

Occupation: Grounds Superintendent

Hobbies/interests: Music

When did you start making the hay designs in your yard? 1994

How to you come up with the design ideas? By committee at a family meeting.

What has been your favorite? They all are special, but the Beatles might be my favorite.

Any fun stories about this annual experience? I was trying to "reverse the curse" and get the Red Sox a Championship. I did a baseball scene. Each player was designed after an actual Red Sox player. I never thought anyone would ever recognize it unless I pointed it out. There was a player, Bernie Carbo, who played in the 1970s. He was a left handed batter and when he would swing his knee would almost hit the ground. But I couldn't quite pose left handed, so I made him right handed. As I was putting him in the yard a man drove by and said, "great Bernie Carbo, but he was left handed." Who would have ever thought.

What are you passionate about? Family 

Best book: The Bible

Best movie: "The Wizard of Oz," "The Sting"

Dream vacation: Anywhere with my family

How long have you lived in Hamilton-Wenham? Most of my life

How come you chose Hamilton-Wenham? My parents made that choice for me. Brilliant!

What is your favorite place in Hamilton-Wenham? Home

What is your favorite shop? Who shops?

What is a fact about you that most don’t know? I'm a bit private.

Where would someone see you around town? At home or at the kids sporting events.

Which local services and programs do you support?