Second annual witches ride ready to take off

Published 11:18 pm Wednesday, October 25, 2017

 

NATCHEZ — Look out on Saturday for black cats, broomsticks, witches, bicycles and goats.

These are not normally words one would expect to go together, but Mary Eldridge said the uniqueness is what makes the Natchez Witches Ride a special event.

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“I would say this is probably one of the most unusual fundraisers you will ever go to,” said Eldridge, an organizer of the event.  “It is fun. We dress up in costumes, and it is family friendly.”

The second Natchez Witches Ride, which also includes warlocks, is a Halloween-themed fundraiser to benefit the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society in which people take flight on their broomsticks, aka their bicycles, in downtown Natchez.

Eldridge said participants dress up as witches and warlocks and also dress up their bikes with Halloween colors, spiderwebs and of course, broomsticks.

“They are all so awesome,” she said. “Last year we had a tandem bike with a witch and a warlock on it. It was so cute.”

When the witches take flight at 3 p.m. Saturday, they will also be tossing out candy, at least for the first couple of blocks down Franklin Street until the intersection with Pearl Street.

Eldridge said the costumes are typically humorous and she did not think they would scare the young children, so she wants parents to bring their children.

“We encourage them to hoop and holler as we go by,” Eldridge said, laughing. “Give us the incentive to keep going up that big hill.”

The route will take the witches and warlocks from the depot on Broadway Street up Franklin Street, where they will turn down Union Street and go back to the depot down Jefferson Street.

If you have a four-legged “child,” Eldridge also encouraged them to attend, as they enjoy socializing with each other, too.

“Last year, we even had a goat dressed up in a tutu with a canine companion,” Eldridge said. “This year I hear we might have two goats.”

For participants, registration is $30 per person. Registration is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and for those already registered, check-in is at 1 p.m.

Eldridge said participants should come out and get involved.

“It is something fun for you to do,” Eldridge said. “Last year, people would socialize with each other. They were able to meet people with the same interest in trying to help support the humane society.”

The humane society does not have a lot of outside funding and requires an average of $30,000 per month to run, Eldridge said.

“They need all the help they can get,” Eldridge said. “I have been an animal lover for about 54 years, ever since I realized animals were in the world. I just love to help them.”

Organizers will also set up carnival games and people will be selling baked goods, pumpkin men, candy hands, ghost pretzels, cookies and cakes. Prices will range from $1 to $50.

“I am making a graveyard-themed cake,” Eldridge said. “I encourage people to have fun with it. And if you need something for an occasion related to Halloween, we will have cakes.”

Eldridge said she hoped to see many people at the Depot Saturday.

“The weather is going to be absolutely gorgeous, sunny all day and cool,” Eldridge said. “You can dress up as much as you want to this year and not have to worry about getting too hot.”