Witch Walk SOSA

Saturday, October 21, 2023

The 2023 Witch Walk & Dance organized by Witch Walk SOSA will take place in downtown Saratoga Springs, NY, on Saturday, October 21st 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 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 2023 Witch Walk & Dance is planned for its 2nd year in downtown Saratoga Springs, NY on Saturday, October 21st 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 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. 

 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 21st, 2023! 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 12:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Library, 1:30 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.

For 17 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. 

Final Dance Practice/ Dress Rehearsal is scheduled for Wednesday, October 18th at 5:30pm 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 10/18 $25, After 10/18 $30 https://Witchwalksosa2023.eventbrite.com 

Witching Story Time: https://sspl.libcal.com/event/10737345

Parking and maps link: https://www.discoversaratoga.org/plan/transportation/maps-and-parking/

Bars included in the open pub crawl: Bourbon Room, The Soundbar, The Misfit, Caroline Street Pub, Spa City Tap & Barrel, Lucy's Bar, The Icehouse, Clancy's Tavern, and Trotters will be offering witchy drink specials to participants with wristbands.

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 the registration area, October 21st, on 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. The price will be $40.00 at the event(cash only). Pick up in Saratoga.

Animal Charities for 2023 include:
Adirondack Chapter of North Shore Animal League 
Therapeutic Horses Of Saratoga 
Whispering Willows Wild Care
Operation at Ease
Estherville Animal Shelter
Lucky Puppy Rescue

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 16 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.

Three colorful witches posing in the dark.

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