The Headless Horseman rides through Sleepy Hollow

When Washington Irving wrote "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," the setting was in New York along the Hudson River. I would be shocked to learn that he had a setting in Illinois in mind when he wrote his famous short story. Nonetheless, for whatever reason, a small quaint village can be found here in the Fox Valley named for that fictional place.

It is not a large place, and is totally landlocked by the surrounding communities of Elgin, West Dundee and Hickory Hollow. Less than 4,000 people reside there, enjoying winding hills, large lots and a mix of older and newer homes.

Whether you believe in fictional characters or not, the beautiful village of Sleepy Hollow is visited every Halloween by a very special quest. It is impossible to tell if this visitor is Ichabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel or Brom Bones, but whoever it is never misses a trip to Sleepy Hollow, Ill. If you missed the visit this year (it took place on Oct. 24), you missed one of the most magical evenings in the Fox Valley.

Typically, it goes like this:

The beautiful grounds surrounding the municipal hall of Sleepy Hollow known as Sabatino Park are filled with children and adults alike, enjoying a hot cider or chili dinner. There is a costume contest, pumpkin decorating and hayrides. This doesn't sound like any thing extraordinary, but it doesn't not end there.

As the sun begins to set, a huge bonfire is started. At first, the fire is warm and toasty, but as it grows, the fire gets very hot and the crowd steps back. Every so often, the weather doesn't cooperate and the fire never gets a start, but a rain date can save the day and our visitor still makes an appearance.

Very small children in strollers and in their loving parents' arms are not quite sure what this is all about. Some of them cry with fright. The older children get very excited

and know that our visitor will arrive shortly. As the fire burns and turns into a lovely orange glow, there is a noise that seems to be getting closer. In the near distance, a horse with a rider can be seen

Horseback riding through Sleepy Hollow is not all that common, but then again not a rare occurrence either. What is that in the distance? Yes indeed, there is a rider coming very quickly past the fire. Could this be the Headless Horseman that Brom Bones had told everyone in the village about? As the horse makes its many passes in front of the fire, the crowd cheers and it is very apparent that its rider is missing a head.

The rider disappears into the night, but no need to fear. He will reappear next year about the same time and place. The small children will be 1 year older and not frightened when he returns. Sleepy Hollow residents make their way home into the darkness, knowing that this is what their tiny little village is famous for.

If you missed this year's appearance of the headless horseman, you missed one of the greatest evenings in the Fox Valley. See you next year.

Linda McDaniel-Hale is a Sleepy Hollow resident.