Welcome back Sandusky Witches' Walk

SANDUSKY — Break out the brooms, get those gowns ready and have a pointy hat handy. The popular Sandusky Witches' Walk returns for another installment later this month. It's scheduled for 4-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 throughout downtown Sandusky. The event is limited to those 21 and older. While some changes will occur, the event's overall spirit remains intact, organizers said. Case in point: People can still dress up, support local businesses and raise money for important causes. The themed charity event will "raise funds for the youth and seniors in the local community," said Cora Higgins, one of the event's main organizers. "Attendees are encouraged to dress up as witches. The event also works in collaboration with area businesses to support them and the entire event. People can visit sanduskywitcheswalk.com. for more information." Since debuting in 2011, it's become a yearly Halloween-season ritual in Sandusky. Hundreds and even, in some years, thousands of people dress up as witches and flock downtown. This one-day function aims to support downtown-based businesses, largely reliant upon tourists throughout summertime, during the offseason. Over the years, thousands of people pumped a lot of dollars into the local economy on what would otherwise be a lackluster night for business, organizers. Then, in 2014, Witches' Walk evolved, incorporating a fundraising aspect to festivities. The event selected a different nonprofit to support each year. In some years, it contributed funds toward two causes. Some that benefited included the Sandusky State Theatre and OHgo. Higgins noted the Sandusky Recreation Department and the Erie County Senior Center serve as this year's recipients. Witches' Walk raised more than $50,000, including $20,000 in 2021, the most ever generated in one year's time. What's new with Sandusky Witches' Walk? Higgins, along with fellow event coordinator Jarrod Walters, provided some additional context on this year's upcoming event: • The name change: "What was known as Witches' Walk is now Sandusky Witches' Walk in order to incorporate the city we love and serve into our very name." • The date change: "This cherished event was always held on a Wednesday night to bring extra business to downtown establishments, and that was wonderful, however, in 2014, it became a charity organization, and participants grew but reached its limitations being in the middle of the week. Under new leadership, Sandusky Witches' Walk is now an official nonprofit that does not represent any religion but simply uses the Halloween theme of witches to raise money for local charities. We will host our inaugural event on Saturday, Oct. 22 so that more people are able to attend." • The recipients: "Being a true charity organization, you should always aim to have 100% of ticket sales going directly to the beneficiaries. And what are the charities? The Sandusky Recreation Department's youth programs as well as the Erie County Senior Center's Meals On Wheels program. We cannot think of two better pillars of our community to support than the growth and development of our youth and to honor those who first paved the way by putting a little more food on their plate." • The support: "Jarrod came up with a model using the shape of a witches hat. It puts the charities at the top, but the other two corners being the participants and the businesses sitting right on our minds. And with that, we want to showcase the amazing businesses we have downtown. And, in order to get people around to see what each one has to offer, we'll have two 14-passenger shuttle buses with hop-on/hop-off service at seven shuttle locations running from 4-10 p.m." • The raffles: "People have a chance to win $2,500 that will be drawn from our cauldron at the end of the night. Participants will get either five or 10 raffle tickets to place in cauldrons at 25 cauldron stop locations. We're encouraging participants to get those raffle tickets placed in cauldrons before the main event even starts, which, pun intended, is another reason to have it on a Saturday." • The spectacle: "To create more of an experience for the participants, Rock & Roll Express Entertainment Co. will be magically transforming the fountain at Schade-Mylander Plaza into a cauldron and providing music all evening long. The Amazing Giants will be coming from Columbus with two stilt walkers, fire performers and an acrobatic witch on a 20-foot sway pole to hover and swoop in the air. Chris Fry, The Chalk Goblin, will also be joining us this year to create a custom piece of art on an 8-by-12 vertical chalk wall that will serve as a photo backdrop for supreme ticket holders as well as the top 10 costume contestants. Chris will begin creating his art late morning at the plaza, where you can come down and watch it come to life." • The other changes: "There is no more registration. You just purchase your tickets and join us. The front of the ticket has a QR code giving you a complete list of participating businesses and what they've conjured up special for you. There will also be event guides for people who like to have something in hand, showing them who has what and where and will even include a map. And the dance is back with no mandatory dance practices. There is a witches' dance instructional video on our website so that you can practice with your own group of witches. We are offering a few in-person practices for anyone who would like extra help at 6 p.m. on Oct. 11 and 2 p.m. on Oct. 16 at Schade-Mylander Plaza." • The tickets: "There are two ticket options available at either Shores & Islands Ohio locations: 125 E. Water St., Sandusky; and 770 SE Catawba Road (Ohio 53), Port Clinton. You can purchase them in person or over the phone and pick them up at will-call underneath the Sandusky State Theatre marquee on the night of the event located near the plaza from 4-6 p.m. Only a limited amount will be sold that night, so it's important to buy tickets in advance." Note: People can visit sanduskywitcheswalk.com to learn more about the different ticket packages, options and costs. • The vendors: "There will be vendors both near the (Schade-Mylander Plaza) fountain and inside The Marketplace with witchy goods just for you, allowing vendors to showcase and sell their specialty items without blocking our existing businesses. Our screen printer will be on site to produce our witchy-wear shirts. There are multiple entertainment options as well as specialty drinks and merchandise discounts. If you're wanting to go shopping with your witches, there's all day to do it. If you want a glass of wine with an acoustic vibe that evening, we have it. If you like a more up beat band, you'll find it. And should the Buckeyes announce a night game that evening, we have that covered, too." • The sponsors: "Sandusky Witches' Walk is presented to you by The Hogrefe Foundation-For Love, With Love Charity and Noble Axes, in association with Shores & Islands Ohio. Speaking of axes, the Big Axe world champion, Zach Crawford, will be joining us at Noble Axes where you just might find a little winner-versus-witch competition going on."