Witch Walk and Dance 2024 in Saratoga Springs

About this event

The 2024 Witch Walk & Dance organized by Witch Walk SOSA will take place in downtown Saratoga Springs, NY on Saturday, October 19th 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 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 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 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 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.

• Free Witch Dance Practice Wednesdays 5:00pm weekly through October 9th offered by the Witch Way Wanderers Dance Troupe at Ferndell Pavillion in Spa Park
• Final Dance Practice/ Dress Rehearsal is scheduled for Wednesday, October 16th at 5:00pm 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!

• Registration: Wristband Presale until 10/16 $25 After 10/16 $30 
• or Venmo Witch Walk SOSA@witchwalksosa

To learn more and obtain updates and schedules, visit discoversaratoga.org/witch-walk-sosa and 'Like and Follow" @witchwalksosa on Facebook and Instagram.

~Tentative ~Bars included in the open pub crawl: Bourbon Room/ The Soundbar/The Misfit/Spa City Tap & Barrel/ Lucy's Bar/The Icehouse/Desperate Annie's/Tin & Lint Co./ Saratoga City Tavern/Trotters/Harveys offering witchy drink specials to participants with wristbands.

~Tentative~ Magic Moon 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 and at dance practices, October 19th, 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. 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 2024 include:

• Adirondack Chapter of North Shore Animal League 
• Old Friends at Cabin Creek 
• Whispering Willows Wild Care
• Operation at Ease
• Estherville Animal Shelter
• ADK Spay and Neuter
• Alfie's Rescue

2023 Charities Supported below:

• 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.

Also remember all the staff and organizers are volunteers for the Walk as well as for The Dance. No one is paid for their time and efforts so please be kind. It is going to be a very busy Walk. We all want to have a fun night so good energy and intentions are welcome!

Thank you to Wolfshager Hexenbrut for their wonderful choreographies that have allowed us to create an even larger community and draw for this event over the years.

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