Witch Walk SOSA
The 2024 Witch Walk & Dance is planned for its 3rd year in downtown Saratoga Springs, NY on Saturday, October 19th 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The witches are back and taking over the streets of Saratoga Springs, NY, for this year's Annual Witch Walk and Dance Animal Benefit. The Witch Walk & Dance is a fundraiser/benefit to raise donations to support animal organizations. The event has brought over 500 participants and thousands of dollars in donations for animal charities and revenue to the local businesses by encouraging folks to put together their most imaginative “witchy attire” and decorate the streets with their beautiful hats, brooms, and costumes all for an amazing cause.
ALL 2024 details can be seen here!
It's that time of year when the witches' dress in their finest, pull out their brooms and dance through the streets "shaking their bacon." Spread the word & get ready to "Shake your bacon" all for a great cause on Saturday, October 19th, 2024! Dances originate from the Wolfshager Hexenbrut Witches of Germany and add an element of joy and fun to the event throughout the afternoon and evening. The Witch Way Wanderers Dancers dance the event away from 2:00 in the new City Center Park on High Rock Avenue during registration and then again on Caroline Street to kick off the event at 2:30/3:00pm. Registration will take place between 2:00-4:00 p.m. at 37 High Rock Avenue at the City Center Parking Garage lower level. You can pick up your wristbands, 2024 enamel pin and stroll the Witches Market with 10-12 vendors gathered by Jessica, owner of The Dark Gemm.
Located in beautiful Saratoga Springs for its 3rd year and ongoing for 18 years (originally the Ballston Spa Witch Walk) this event has quickly grown to bring in more donations and participants in turn making the event more colorful, inclusive, and creative along the way. We offer the opportunity to dance fun, flash mob-like dances to lively music throughout the evening in various locations that welcome us for the 5-15 minutes of dances. Historically, including teaching a few spectators or fellow “witches” along the way.
Dance practices for all are Wednesdays 5-7pm see our FB page for updates and locations. Final Dance Practice/ Dress Rehearsal scheduled for 10/16 at the City Center Park 37 High Rock Ave in Saratoga Springs.
The “witchy” participants patronize local businesses, explore the town, participate in the witch dances, and enjoy an evening out with friends making new friends along the way. The “Witches” add an element of fall, Halloween, and everything October is meant to be when they come to town and “Wander” the streets for the evening!
For updates and information, follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Registration: Wristband Presale until 10/16 $25, After 10/16 $30. Donations and Wristband sales by Venmo WitchWalk SOSA@witchwalksosa or Eventbrite. Parking and maps link: https://www.discoversaratoga.org/plan/transportation/maps-and-parking/
Finalized by ticket sales date. Bars included below will be offering witchy drink specials to participants with wristbands:
The Misfit - 1 Caroline St
Saratoga Tin & Lint Co. - 2 Caroline St
Lucy's Bar - 5 Caroline St
Saratoga City Tavern - 19-21 Caroline St
Desperate Annie's - 12 Caroline St
Bourbon Room - 8 Caroline St
The Ice House - 70 Putnam St
Bailey's - 37 Phila St
Harvey's - 14 Phila St
Spa City Tap & Barrel - 13 Caroline St
Soundbar - 6 Caroline St
Clancy's - 43 Caroline St
Trotters -45 Caroline St
Putnam Place - 63 Putnam Place
Magic Moon, located at 17 Phila Street, will give a free gift to the first 75 participants that show their wrist band and they will also receive 10% off purchases made that day. There may be readers offering short sessions as well. Contact 518-583-2884.
“I’d Rather Travel by Broomstick” an original art print by local artist, Colleen Shannon, will be available for purchase at Wednesday Dance Practices, a first come first serve basis. The 8” x 8” prints come with a dark gray mat & backing, and are ready to go into a 12” x 12” frame. Colleen will be donating 10% of sales to the Witch Walk Sosa Event. Special event pricing is $35.00 before 10/21 (cash only). To purchase prior to the event, please text Colleen at 630-951-8959. Pick up in Saratoga.
Animal Charities for 2024 include:
ADK Spay and Neuter
Adirondack Chapter of North Shore Animal League
Alfie's Rescue
Estherville Animal Shelter
Lucky Puppy Rescue
Old Friends of Cabin Creek
Operation at Ease
Therapeutic Horses Of Saratoga
Whispering Willows Wild Care
Animal Charities for 2023 included:
Adirondack Chapter of North Shore Animal League
Estherville Animal Shelter
Lucky Puppy Rescue
Operation at Ease
Therapeutic Horses Of Saratoga
Whispering Willows Wild Care
PLEASE NOTE: Every year we get messages and comments asking if participating in The Dance and Walk, are wristbands required? So the answer is yes, the $25/$30 DONATION ($35 @ Door) is accepted, appreciated, and required to participate (and to claim you participate) in the events. We do The Walk for the "cause" if you want to just dress up and head to bars please do so on Halloween. This "dance and pub crawl" benefits rescue and animal organizations and charities. There is overhead but the volunteers have “donated” time, money, and supplies for 19 years without ever considering "what we get out of it. "Witch Walk SOSA and our dance troupe The Witch Way Wanderers offer the Witch Dance practices as another avenue to bring in donations for those that want to participate but may not want to do the "crawl." To address "what do I get for the $25?" You get the satisfaction that you have made a donation to benefit those furry critters that have no voice. The "donation/ wristband" fee goes to charities aside from a small amount to advertising, wristbands, insurance, and the annual enamel pin. Since 2006 those that participate can do so knowing it is for a great cause. You would not run in an Alzheimer's or Breast Cancer marathon or walk without donating. This is the same type of event but for animals. Thanks for your understanding and support. Know that even if you "purchase” a wristband and can not attend, that your "donation" is going directly to the animals. As of 2021 all donations are posted on @witchwalksosa on Facebook and Instagram.
