Meet the New EPD Mounted Patrol Horse at the Fall Festival

There will be a very special guest at the 105^th West Side Nut Club Fall Festival – his name is Midnight, and he is the newest member of the Evansville Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit.

Midnight's Fall Festival Debut Details

Midnight will make his official debut on Monday, October 5, at 10:00 a.m. on Franklin Street, right in front of the West Side Nut Club office. The Evansville Police Foundation, EPD and the Nut Club are teaming up for a press conference, and folks from the community are welcome to come meet him, learn what the Mounted Patrol does, and hear from the groups behind the addition.

How the Nut Club Helped Bring Midnight on Board

So how did Midnight land the job? You can thank the West Side Nut Club. Proceeds from last year's Fall Festival helped pay for him, which means everyone who came out for the food, the fun and the crowds had a hand in bringing him on board.

"Thanks to the generosity of those who attend and support the Fall Festival, we were able to use a portion of the proceeds to help bring a new four-legged member to the Evansville Police Department," said Todd Helfert, the 2025 Fall Festival Chair. He added that the club is proud to give back in such a meaningful way.

What the Mounted Patrol Means for Evansville

Ashley McReynolds, Executive Director of the Evansville Police Foundation, says the Mounted Patrol is more than a good-looking addition. The unit gives EPD a highly visible presence on the streets while also giving officers a chance to connect with neighbors in a way a patrol car just can't. She says the Nut Club keeps stepping up when officers need resources, and the Foundation is grateful for the investment in the unit and in the safety of Evansville.

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The 105^th West Side Nut Club Fall Festival runs October 5th through 10th, continuing a tradition more than a century strong, with over 130 food booths, carnival rides, live entertainment, family fun, and talent competitions galore.