ONTARIO
Witches sweep through downtown Blind River as part of Witches Dance (6 photos)
The fifth annual event brought nearly 30 participants and an array of vendors to downtown Blind River
Saturday marked the fifth annual Witches Dance in downtown Blind River.
About 28 witches made a clean sweep of Blind River’s core business area descending on the downtown twice and setting a spell on the large crowd who came to watch.
Saturday’s event marked the fifth year the Witches Dance has been held and was augmented by an array of vendors who set up shop along the sidewalk under partially sunny skies.
There were the traditional Halloween decorations along the street and games eagerly played by children.
Organizer Kristy Blanchet said the original Witches Dance was set up by her and two friends after seeing a similar event on YouTube and has grown with more witches and more spectators taking part each year.
“We saw this on YouTube and we said this looks kind of interesting do you think we could do this,” Blanchet said of the original idea to stage it in their hometown. “Now I have a big mouth and they said if you organize it, we’ll help you.”
They started out with nine witches and now have 28 witches. The organizers are hoping to expand with more witches next year.
Members are not part of any dance class and “it’s just for fun,” according to Blanchet who was dressed as the lone good witch.
Those who want to take part must attend the regular practices.
“We practice in the elements and all we ask you to do is bring your broom.”
The practices are held in open areas by the river, at a local school and at the firehall where they can be safely held.
Blanchet said she has already been approached by two men wanting to take part next year and hopes more will join in a Warlock Dance.
The fifth annual event brought nearly 30 participants and an array of vendors to downtown Blind River
By: Kris Svela
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Saturday marked the fifth annual Witches Dance in downtown Blind River.
Kris Svela for ElliotLakeToday
About 28 witches made a clean sweep of Blind River’s core business area descending on the downtown twice and setting a spell on the large crowd who came to watch.
Saturday’s event marked the fifth year the Witches Dance has been held and was augmented by an array of vendors who set up shop along the sidewalk under partially sunny skies.
There were the traditional Halloween decorations along the street and games eagerly played by children.
Organizer Kristy Blanchet said the original Witches Dance was set up by her and two friends after seeing a similar event on YouTube and has grown with more witches and more spectators taking part each year.
“We saw this on YouTube and we said this looks kind of interesting do you think we could do this,” Blanchet said of the original idea to stage it in their hometown. “Now I have a big mouth and they said if you organize it, we’ll help you.”
They started out with nine witches and now have 28 witches. The organizers are hoping to expand with more witches next year.
Members are not part of any dance class and “it’s just for fun,” according to Blanchet who was dressed as the lone good witch.
Those who want to take part must attend the regular practices.
“We practice in the elements and all we ask you to do is bring your broom.”
The practices are held in open areas by the river, at a local school and at the firehall where they can be safely held.
Blanchet said she has already been approached by two men wanting to take part next year and hopes more will join in a Warlock Dance.
Dancing witches take over Blind River
Christian D'Avino
CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca
Videojournalist
Published Oct. 16, 2021
SAULT STE. MARIE -
A group of witches in Blind River have brewed up a new concoction for residents, with an eye on getting them moving and grooving.
The annual "Witches Dance" has returned for its fifth year in the town, with this year's event coinciding alongside its fall fair.
"It really started off a YouTube video, where we found a group of dancing women in Germany," said Kristy Blanchet, organizer. "I turned to the girls and they said they thought we could do this."
Only nine witches joined in the dance through its first year, which saw them dance down the sidewalk of Woodward Avenue, the towns main street.
"Everybody was like, what's going on, and then we were like, okay lets go down the street with a stop sign, we stopped traffic and then it kind of escalated after that," said Shari Gosselin, who has taken part in the event every year.
The witches dance was one of the few events not to get cancelled by COVID-19 last year.
It's also grown tremendously since it first began, according to Blanchet.
"This year I asked the town council to close down the main street," she said. "We were able to set up games, crafts, vendors, everything has really turned out great."
Blanchet said roughly thirty witches took part in the event this year, but is looking for more in the future.
Published Oct. 16, 2021
SAULT STE. MARIE -
A group of witches in Blind River have brewed up a new concoction for residents, with an eye on getting them moving and grooving.
The annual "Witches Dance" has returned for its fifth year in the town, with this year's event coinciding alongside its fall fair.
"It really started off a YouTube video, where we found a group of dancing women in Germany," said Kristy Blanchet, organizer. "I turned to the girls and they said they thought we could do this."
Only nine witches joined in the dance through its first year, which saw them dance down the sidewalk of Woodward Avenue, the towns main street.
"Everybody was like, what's going on, and then we were like, okay lets go down the street with a stop sign, we stopped traffic and then it kind of escalated after that," said Shari Gosselin, who has taken part in the event every year.
The witches dance was one of the few events not to get cancelled by COVID-19 last year.
It's also grown tremendously since it first began, according to Blanchet.
"This year I asked the town council to close down the main street," she said. "We were able to set up games, crafts, vendors, everything has really turned out great."
Blanchet said roughly thirty witches took part in the event this year, but is looking for more in the future.
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