If you had ever had the opportunity - back before the turn of the century - to spend a fun-filled Halloween evening on Centenary Avenue in Cleveland, Tennessee ... trick-or-treating at the eerily decorated homes ... some years - a headless horseman strolling up and down the street....

then perhaps you have also witnessed, first-hand, our tall friend.  You may also be interested to know how the whole annual affair got started.

Local businessman, Allan Jones, was part of a downtown revitalization group known as the Central City Action Accosiation in the 1980's.  They decided to host a Halloween Block Party.  Their mission was to give youth a safe place to enjoy the holiday, and decrease the number of trick-or-treaters on Cleveland's busy streets.

In an effort to add to the festivities, they decided to create a spook - or goblin - for the event.  Mr. Jones recounted a character of whom he had heard since he was a small boy growing up in Cleveland.  It seems parents would warn their children of this woman in an effort to get them to come home on time.  Her name was Tall Betsy - and she supposedly only came out after dark, so getting home early would avoid a run in with this threatening character.

This lady, it seems, was an actual Cleveland resident, around the turn of the century (that would be two turns ago - - -or 1900...)  Over the years, rumors of her were still around ... some said she only came out at night.  Others swore she only wore black.  Still others insisted that she stood taller than 7 feet high. 

As the very first Downtown Block Party opening ceremonies were winding down, the new 7-foot 6-and-one-half inch Cleveland dignitary left the courthouse square to travel down Ocoee Street to Centenary Avenue - where Mr. Jones' daughter was enjoying a Halloween party at their home.  Still dressed as Tall Betsy, Mr. Jones entertained her guests, as well as some trick-or-treaters coming through his neighborhood. 

News spread like wild-fire!  Soon dozens and dozens of Clevelanders

were flocking to see Tall Betsy from the Block Party

- and from all parts of Cleveland.

As years went by and Tall Betsy's reputation snowballed, the entire neighborhood began pitching in to help entertain the swarms of viewers who dropped in on Centenary Avenue to give their children the ultimate Halloween thrill.  To this day, there are haunted courtyards, cemeteries, wonderful decorations, and thousands of pieces of candy given away at many of the homes. 

And as for the downtown Halloween Block Party - it is still one of the highlights of the year for many Clevelanders - old and young!  What was once the Central City Action Association - is now MainStreet Cleveland, who sponsors this major event every Halloween night.  It draws thousands to the carnival-like atmosphere with costumes, live musical entertainment and food and fun of all kinds. 

Again this year you can hear Halloween Stories and view the entries in the

Jack-O'-Lantern Contest

at the Museum Center at 5ive Points from 4 til 9pm. 

Stories will be presented by members of the Cleveland

Storytelling Guild will include

A Legend of Tall Betsy.

Tall Betsy:  "B N B-4 10 ... or else!"

B   N   B-4   10     ~     Or Else.....    She comes out only on Halloween      On Centenary Avenue she can be seen, Tall Betsy is the "Lady in Black"      For scaring Night-Owls she has a knack. Now if you're good and go home early      You won't get "et"' by this gruesome girlie But if you linger 'til after ten,      We want you to know, you're a "has been"! Cause Betsy will tuck you under her arm      And you can bet, that's cause for alarm To Fort Hill Cemetery she will go      To her mausoleum, with you in tow! If you don't escape before sunrise      I warn you now, you'll be her prize. She'll have you for breakfast, I do not jest,      You'll be on the menu, not as her guest. Your bones she'll dump in that old well      At Arnold School, and no one will tell Your parents, they'll worry and probably fret      They'll search all over for you, I'll bet.... So, go home early on Halloween night,      and November 1st, you'll be alright. Trick~or~treating is so much fun      But if you see Tall Betsy......... YOU -                           BETTER -                                                                     RUN    - - - - - -   !!! sightings of Tall Betsy ... mid-1990's   ... October 31st ~ after 10pm   ... click here for Tall Betsy Coloring Project...