More than 2,000 women dressed as witches took part in the third annual Kimmswick Witches Night Out, held Oct. 12, said Mary Hostetter of the Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery.
“It was so cool,” she said. “People came from all over. A bus came from Jefferson City.”
It was the biggest turnout so far, said Valerie Ahlemeyer, the “head witch,” or event chair.
“There was an awesome turnout, and we were blessed with good weather,” she said. “We had nothing but raves. We can’t wait until next year.”
The event included a costume contest.
Best witch winners were Tracy Patterson, first, and Suzanne Seek, second, both of Festus.
The best group winners were the Cone Heads from Jefferson County, first, and the Purple Group from Festus and De Soto, second.
For best broom, the winners were Donna Lee Cox of St. Louis, first, and Samantha Isaacson of Dittmer, second.
The best hat winners were Linda Penzel of Jackson, first, and Yvonne White of Granite City, Ill., second.
In addition to a costume contest, the event included live music by the Joe Scalzitti Band, which is based in Festus; the Uncle Joe’s Cove Band, a Hillsboro-area based band; and Wack-A-Doo, a St. Louis-based band.
A DJ played, too.
And, there also was “dancing in the streets,” Hostetter said.
Magicians performed, psychics did readings and a scavenger hunt was held.
Also, restaurants and shops offered discounts during the event, Hostetter added.
The event also was a fundraiser for the Kimmswick Visitor Center; Ride On St. Louis, which is based in Kimmswick; the ALS Foundation; and the medical fund for Nancy Ratliff, who has ALS.
