Many have probably heard the story of the Headless Horseman, but maybe not Muncie’s very own.
Tonight, the Headless Horseman will lurk through the neighborhood by Cowing Park between Centennial, McGalliard, Wheeling and Walnut St. from 5-6:30 p.m.
Afterward, the horseman will move to Yorktown through the neighborhood behind Yorktown schools off of West River Rd. He will stop on Stratford Ct. and ride around there until 8 p.m.
Although many already have expectations about the Headless Horseman, he is really a she under her costume. Every Halloween since she was 14, Megan Smith has ridden around on her horse dressed as the Headless Horseman.
When Smith was 13, she found passing out candy on Halloween too boring. So her mom suggested a new idea—transforming into the Headless Horseman with the horse, CT, in the backyard.
The following year, her mom made the costume, and Smith wore it while riding through her neighborhood and passing out candy.
Little did she know, riding around as Muncie’s Headless Horseman would become an annual tradition.
“I thought it was just going to be like a one time thing, but we started getting people asking... 'Are you going to do this again this year?,'” Smith said.
So, she decided to saddle up and do it again.
Within the last five years, Smith has branched outside of her old neighborhood. She even made an appearance at the McDonald’s on McGalliard's Family Night.
“We do it on family night so it draws more business in for them and kids get to see it,” Smith said.
She also made a special trip to the Muncie Maker’s Market.
“I know people show up where I go. They want to see a horse. They don’t want to see me,” Smith said. “I’m like 'Great, pet my horse and come see the Maker’s Market cause you know it’s a lot of fantastic people there and I want to support them.'”
But, Smith said having 1,000-pound horse around crowds of kids can be a challenge, and she couldn’t do it without help. Her mom comes along to make sure the kids, Smith and CT all stay safe.
“I enjoy kids anyway, so it’s a big treat for me,” Smith's mother said. “I look forward to it every year.”
Contact Mary Eber with comments at mmeber@bsu.edu.
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