More than 4,400 women were decked out in their best witch-themed attire for this year’s Witches Night Out in Kimmswick, event manager Gina Otto said.
Otto said attendance was slightly higher this year even though fewer tickets were sold. She said 4,468 tickets were sold for the 15th annual event that was held on Oct. 10.
Otto said about 4,500 tickets were sold for last year’s Witches Night Out, which is sponsored by the Kimmswick Merchants Association.
“It was just a beautiful day,” Otto said. “More people checked in this year than last year.
“It seemed like this year, everyone who bought a ticket came.”
Otto said numerous new attractions were added this year to the full day of activities, music and shopping.
Among the new attractions was a haunted maze provided by Hearth 2 Home Realty, a three-hour performance by Gateway Dueling Pianos, a mechanical bull, Night Owl Paranormal Investigations led tours highlighting possible paranormal activity in the Mississippi River town and a person dressed as the character Pennywise, the evil clown from Stephen King’s novel “It.”
“We had some things that were different and very unique, and they were well received,” Otto said. “The witches loved the haunted maze. Some of them actually got lost in the maze.
“They had a really good time with the mechanical bull and the dueling pianos.”
A dark circus district also was set up this year. The area featured aerial performances, fire artists, sideshow acts and carnival games.
“We have done the aerialists in the past, but this group was more of a circus group that brought in performers from Kansas City and Houston,” Otto said.
Otto said Pennywise started at the dark circus, but the performer also roamed the town.
“He was a hit,” she said. “Everybody was running up and getting their picture with Pennywise.”
Returning attractions included Aria Thome leading drum circle groups, photo opportunities with various animals provided by the Jeffco Wildlife Command Center, line dancing and karaoke.
Otto said about 65 businesses and organizations were part of this year’s Witches Night Out, including numerous food trucks and some popular vendors from past events.
“Ben Difani with Glasstown Tattoo in Crystal City was back. People love getting those flash tattoos that they can only get at Witches Night Out,” she said. “We also brought in people who make nail polish. We like to bring in vendors who have activities. The witches love that immersive experience.
“This event is mostly for the merchant district and brings attention to our historic merchant area.”
Five contests were held near the end of the event with women competing to win the best witch costume, best group costume, best broom, best hat and best cackle.
Raquel M. Yriarte took first for the best witch costume, and Abbey Steidinge took second place. For best group costume, Katie Williams and Melissa Villa placed first, and Tia Harrison and Joann McClure came in second. Julia Medina won for best broom with Wendy Sadler coming in second. For best hat, Ashley Chaffin took first, and Rhiannon Zoppe came in second. Tricia Vachalek won the best cackle award.
“The witches go through so much to create those costumes,” Otto said. “A lot of the costumes have details, such as smoke billowing out from under a skirt. Most of them are handmade.”
Otto said as of Monday, the association was still calculating how much money was raised during the event. She said the money raised from the event is donated to Windsor High School’s Operation Graduation, the Kimmswick Visitors Center and Kimmswick.