Tall Betsy, Cleveland’s favorite ghoul and Official Halloween Goblin of Bradley County, is set to appear once again at her historic haunt on 150 Centenary Ave. NW, just near Cleveland’s Annual Halloween Block Party. She arrives at sunset: 6:46 p.m. on Oct. 31.
Officials said, "A towering figure in local folklore since 1980, Tall Betsy has been a generational legend without fail for over four decades. The legend of Tall Betsy began in 1980 when Cleveland entrepreneur Allan Jones brought to life tales whispered by local children in the 1920s and 1930s about a seven-foot-six-and-a-half-inch “Lady in Black” who roamed the night, snatching kids who stayed out past dark.
Mr. Jones, donning stilts, a flowing black gown and a witch’s hat, transformed her into a beloved community icon.
"By 1989, the Tennessee Legislature named her Bradley County’s Official Halloween Goblin, solidifying her place in Cleveland’s cultural heart. Since then, she’s been a fixture at the annual Centenary Avenue Block Party, drawing crowds of up to 30,000, with live music, celebrity guests, like the cast of Leave It to Beaver and Little Richard, and her signature candy-tossing cackle.
The Legend is now carried forward by Mr. Jones’ son, Bailey Jones, who took up the stilts and gown in 2014.
“Tall Betsy is Cleveland’s Halloween heartbeat,” said Bailey Jones. “For over 40 years, she’s brought families together for a night of frights and fun. We’re proud to keep her legend alive, reminding everyone that ‘B N B 4 10, or you’re a has-been!’”
Her eerie poem still echoes through Cleveland’s streets:
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.
Your bones, she’ll dump in that ole well,
At Arnold School and no one will tell...
So go home early on Halloween night,
And November 1st you’ll be all right.
Trick or treating is so much fun,
But if you see Tall Betsy… RUN!
"So this Halloween, get ready for the return of Tall Betsy at 6:46 p.m. on Oct. 31 at 150 Centenary Ave NW, Cleveland, followed by world-class trick-or-treating down the famous Centenary Avenue," officials said. "Don’t miss out on limited-edition Tall Betsy T-shirts— now available in child sizes and for the whole family. Last year’s design sold out in just a couple of days, so grab yours while supplies last at Village Bake Shop or The Diving Mouse in Cleveland. Visit TallBetsy.com to preview the designs and snag one online."
For more on the legend, event details or official Tall Betsy shirts and information, follow @TallBetsyGoblin on Facebook and YouTube.