GREAT MILLS, Md. – The leader of the Autobots has arrived in Great Mills. Dyson Building Center’s roadside SpongeBob statue now wears the armor of Optimus Prime for Halloween, and the reason goes beyond seasonal fun.
The reveal on Oct. 6, 2025, followed weeks of online guessing after Dyson dropped a red and blue teaser. Locals floated ideas from Spider-Man to tractors, but the Transformers theme held the strongest appeal. Melanie Dyson said she chose Optimus Prime because Dyson Building Center is sponsoring the upcoming Optimus Prime & Friends event at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum.
The museum event runs Oct. 18–19 and will feature appearances from Transformers characters, along with displays tied to Star Wars, Marvel, HALO, and more. Dyson’s role as a sponsor links the local display to a larger community celebration.
Dyson’s costume tradition has become a yearly draw. Passersby pause for photos, and social media anticipation tends to grow before the big reveal. Past outfits have ranged from holiday figures to classic superheroes, each designed to spark delight and engagement.
Adding to its community presence, Dyson also hosts a Little Free Library (Charter #174,599), listed on maps and accessible through littlefreelibrary.org and the app. Visitors can borrow or leave books and sign the online guest book whenever they stop by.
Located at 20375 Point Lookout Rd., Dyson Building Center has served Southern Maryland since the 1920s, when founder Samuel Dyson opened a sawmill. Nearly a century later, the Dyson family continues to run the business and to keep its roadside mascot ready for another creative transformation.
Photos below courtesy of Dyson Building Center:
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I like how he has more G1 anime-styled head design, as he appeared in Season 2.
The SpongeBob square pants as Optimus Prime sign looks Awesome!