From far and wide, witches congregated in Coldwater on Friday night for an evening of “letting loose,” as one local described it.
With new features this year and and expanded street space to include more vendors, Coldwater expected more than 1,500 witches and warlocks to walk the downtown streets.
The now wildly popular event started over 12 years ago as a girls night out among a few friends around Halloween, said Coldwater BIA Chair Mark Missen.
“Now look what it’s become,” he said as the streets filled with magnificent costumes and laughter.
Veteran witches who have walked Coldwater’s streets before, and those new to the event this year all seemed to agree the event brings out the best of the season.
“Coldwater is an amazing hub of great energy that brings people in,” said Sonja Schaper, events coordinator with the BIA.
Schaper not only organized and helped with the event, she made her own costume as well. Schaper and Missen say the success of the festivities would not come together so well if it weren’t for the BIA and the Mill collaborating “to make Coldwater better.”
They disagree on what made this year better, though. Schaper laughed and said “the weather, it made a huge difference!” Last year it rained, but many returning witches did not let that send them on their broomsticks home.
Missen noted there was a third more vendors this year, many who had not been before and he said the Graveyard Walk, with its quirky tombstones and ambient decor, is double the size from last year.
“We do pride ourselves on doing everything for free, except discretionary spending,” said Missen. New this year is the Terror Trail — the only feature that had a price tag ($5) to experience, which was filled with chills and thrills.
The Coldwater Witches Walk is billed as a 19+ event, since there’s alcohol for purchase at many outlets. A few local women were looking to dress up, be silly, and spend some time out of the house together for Halloween.
The day after the Witches Walk is most often a Trick-Or-Treat day for the kids, said Missen. He explained that the games will replace vendors and the attractions are more suitable for a younger crowd. This year is no different, as Saturday is expected to be busy downtown.
The Witches Walk is known to bring a diverse crowd out to play. Not only witchy characters walk the streets, but Dorothy and The Scarecrow, as well as Beetlejuice could be seen cruising around. One returning witch remembered how last year, a bus spilling with witches from Elmvale was a magical sight.
Marcel and Anke Heaton have come to the event for many years in a row; they’ve lost track now.
“It’s for the aura,” said Marcel. “It’s very welcoming,” added Anke.
When asked if he felt like a warlock outnumbered by witches, “Absolutely!” he remarked with a smile, “but it’s so much fun.”
They were not the only ones who believe in the aura of Coldwater on the night of the Witches Walk.
"It's a town that has a knack for doing spirited things," said Robyn Hause, who dressed up with her daughter, Peggy Hause, to enjoy the evening out.
Catherine Whittle came from Port Perry and Connie MacDonald travelled from Toronto for Friday night's event. This was their second year attending and they wore matching capes.
What in particular brings them back? “All these beautiful witches ...look at their costumes! Everyone is into the same stuff,” exclaimed Whittle. “And the spending,” Added MacDonald.
While some believe the event should remain a gals night out, others are happy to find warlocks participating and having a fun time. The ultimate goal is to get out and join in Halloween fun..
“It’s a good kick off to the season,” explained Missen.
For the past five years, the Coldwater Food Bank has been included at the entrance accepting donations. Brenda Yule, who has volunteered with the food bank for over eight years, said it provides them more exposure.
Yule noted that “at this time of year the shelves diminish a bit,” also noting that it gets difficult for everyone, not just the food bank.
“Help us help those in our community” is her motto, she said. And a multitude of witches brought bags full of donations. Yule said she is proud of her community’s generosity.
