There are many reasons that families travel from miles around to attend the Halloween Mayor’s Walk at the Uintah Community Center every year and a local man’s annual costume reveal is among the favorite of them. It all started five Halloweens ago when Ironman arrived at the event. Heads turned, jaws dropped, and everyone began to ask, ‘WHO is that? And HOW did he get that amazing costume?!’ The next year when the mighty Hulk showed up to the party a similar excitement spread through the crowd except this time people knew who it was, it was the Ironman guy! The tradition has continued, each year thrilling fans of all ages. Hulk was followed by Buzz Lightyear, then a Star Wars Stormtrooper the next year, and Baymax in 2017. Ted Munford – local computer man, Vernal City Councilman, family man, and also the man hidden comfortably inside the costume each year – made a hard decision and announcement this fall. This year’s costume, which will be revealed tomorrow at the Halloween Mayor’s Walk in Vernal, will be his last one. While the tradition will be greatly missed, anyone that knows the time and investment made into each costume will tell you it is amazing it has gone on for as long as it has. Munford has hand crafted each costume, getting up
at 4am
, putting in time before work, on his lunch break, and after hours for 8 to 10 months to construct each costume, a venture that he says is just not sustainable. Still, Munford will always treasure the memories and miss seeing the unrestrained joy in the eyes of those meeting his new characters each Halloween. Munford also says he would love to see someone continue the tradition and is always willing to share his knowledge. Don’t miss the final costume reveal tomorrow at the Mayor’s Walk and have a happy and safe Halloween!
