'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' returns to Sarasota Polo Club

By Liz Ramos
| 11:00 a.m. October 28, 2023

The Headless Horseman haunts the Sarasota Polo Club grounds.

East County
Neighbors

Palm Aire's Pete and BJ DeFinis love everything Halloween.

The decorations, the parties, the movies. Anything spooky, they love it.

They couldn't wait to see the Headless Horseman ride across the Sarasota Polo Club Oct. 27 during the Sarasota Players' seventh annual production of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

The play was the kickoff to the DeFinis' Halloween weekend. BJ DeFinis said the couple hadn't seen the play before and loved that it was outdoors, especially on a beautiful night.

Before the play began, the Sarasota Players held a costume contest for various categories including silliest, scariest, cutest and most creative costume.

Lakewood Ranch 9-year-old Raymond Perkowski was thrilled to win a contest for the silliest costume. He went on stage dressed as a ninja turtle and showed off his skills with his nunchucks.

He said it felt great to win a trophy and goodie bag.

Palm Aire's Pete and BJ DeFinis look forward to seeing "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" for the first time. It's the first event to kickoff their Halloween weekend.

Cristina Bickerstaff strikes fear into the audience as the Woman in White.

Lakewood Ranch 9-year-old Raymond Perkowski, dressed as a ninja turtle, takes home the prize for silliest costume. "It feels great to win," he says.

John Hartter commands the stage at Brom Bones.

Derek Dutcher is ready to haunt Sleepy Hollow as Captain Kidd.

Philip Troyer brings Ichabod Crane to life for the Sarasota Players' seventh annual production of "The Legends of Sleepy Hollow."

Amanda Heisey, the director of the Sarasota Players' production of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" welcomes the audience.

Captain Kidd, played by Derek Dutcher, haunts Ichabod Crane, who is played by Philip Troyer.

Brom Bones, played by John Hartter, tries to win the heart of Katrina Van Tassel, who is played by Meg Barlow-Jones.

Hundreds are ready to hear the spooky tale of Sleepy Hollow.

Nicole McKenna shows off her new dance moves when she learns the grasshopper as Greta.

It's the moment the audience has been waiting for, the Headless Horseman rides again.

Sarasota's Vicky McDuffee and Jeri Wentz can't wait to see the Headless Horseman and hear the story of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." "I like spooky, she likes romance," Wentz says.

Noah Oja portrays Yost while Jack Figiel plays Walter in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.