You won’t need a broomstick for this year’s Witches Ride, which is the fourth annual bicycle parade to benefit the Leflore County Humane Society.
Posters for Thursday’s fundraiser announce, “Brooms are for amateurs,” but of course that’s all in fun — and you can carry a broomstick to complement the witchy costume of your choice. Over the years, riders have donned everything from the event’s T-shirts to theatrical attire just to enjoy taking part.
This Halloween, Diane Finnegan, a Greenwood aartist, for the fourth time will wear her witch’s costume to the event. “It’s kind of a cute witch’s costume. It’s not scary,” she explained. The whole parade, she said, is a lot of fun.
She will be parading on foot. But scores of witches and at least a handful of warlocks will ride bicycles north on Howard Street for their own amusement and that of onlookers, including children. Finnegan said they love to catch Halloween treats cast in their direction.
The parade will start at 5:30 p.m. at Rail Spike Park and end at the Vine Bistro, at 222 Howard, where adults will be invited indoors for continuing festivities. These will wind up at 9 p.m.
Ashley Farmer of Greenwood, founding chair of the Witches Ride and a Humane Society board member, is in charge again this year. She’s looking forward to the event. Folks who don’t want to bicycle or walk may ride in golf carts and Rangers or on floats, she said.
“I even have Pillow Academy kindergarten teachers who are riding on a float, and they have gotten some Pillow band members to accompany them,” she said.
In 2020, the parade drew 75 riders, she said. “I am hoping we will have at least 100 entries this year.”
The Humane Society’s shelter is overflowing with abandoned dogs and cats, and the shelter’s veterinary bills run about $5,000 a month, she said. “There’s never enough money for that and food,” Farmer explained.
“We usually raise anywhere from $2,500 to $4,000” from the Witches Ride, she said. Recently, the Humane Society received a $10,000 anonymous donation, and she is thinking about seeking corporate sponsors for the society, perhaps through the Witches Ride.
But for right now, she’s inviting folks to join the group. People can sign up online at www.leflorehumane.org or at the event. Come a little early if you have to register right before the ride. It’s $50 for the parade, party and a long-sleeved T-shirt, $30 for a T-shirt alone and $35 for the party.
- Contact Susan Montgomery at 581-7241 or smontgomery@gwcommonwealth.com.
