The Witches of East Beach

Written by Jayne Ormerod

Double double toil and trouble. 

Fires burn and cauldrons bubble.

If you’re wandering on 26^th Bay Street just north of Pleasant on Halloween night, you might hear that chant.  Not from actresses rehearsing McBeth, and certainly not real witches, but from your neighbors who have gathered in what has become an annual Witches of East Beach event. It’s a simple concept: women grab their pointy hats and magic broomsticks and gather together to hand out candy to the Trick-or-Treaters.  

Event founder and organizer Gina Buzby explains, “I have always loved Halloween.  The fun, cheerful side, not the scary, freaky side.  I knew East Beach had to be a popular neighborhood for children to visit during Halloween.  I also knew of several friends who, for various reasons, were not big fans of Halloween night and I wanted to convert them.  Since all of these friends were women, I decided we needed to have a Witches Party.”

All participants bring the bags of candy they would have handed out at their own homes and dump them into a huge bucket.  When the children come by, the nearest Witch doles out a handful of sweets.  The kids love it.  

But this is not a simple all-sit-in-the-front-porch-together event.  It’s an elaborate affair in the backyard, under the shadow of a sprawling Bay Oak tree. A fire pit—sans cauldron—blazes, tiki torches cast eerie shadows, tendrils of spider webbing dangle from the tree, and creepy music blares from outdoor speakers.  It’s a scene right out of Hocus Pocus.  

            

Why the backyard? Gina explains, “My picket fence is the perfect height to just hand the candy over to the trick-or-treaters. I decorate the front porch, but on Halloween night I tape off the steps with caution tape and add a sign that says, ‘Please go to the back gate—if you dare!’”   

            

The kids dare, and stare wide-eyed at the assemblage of witches.  “Some are a little afraid at first,” Gina admits, “but we don't dress up as scary witches. We are all friendly and fun. Most of children love the idea, AND the vast amount of candy!” Their parents get a kick out of it, too. 

            

But it’s not all about handing out candy.  After all, the witches need to eat, too.  Each brings a dish to share.  No eye of newt or toe of frog, but hearty soups, heavy appetizers and Halloween-themed sweets.  And maybe, for some, a little nip of witches brew.

            

Two-year participant Beth Vinson says, “I enjoy our food and friendship while treating the children!”

           

The real fun comes in seeing the dazzling array of costumes parading past the gate, from creative homemade box robots to too-cute-for-words ladybugs, and everything in between. But it’s easy to spot the must-have costume of the season.  Last year, one Witch quipped, “If we did a Jell-O shot every time a Superman or an Elsa (from Frozen) came by, we’d be on the ground by six p.m. and the treats would be self-serve!” 

                

The Witches of East Beach (W.E.B.) are well on their way to becoming an annual affair.  “We've done this now for three years and look forward to our fourth,” Gina says. “Many of our friends prefer to be in their own homes and enjoy the traditional experience of answering their doors with their children and/or grandchildren.  But, for us, this works out well and is a lot of fun for everyone.” 

But there’s more to the 2016 event. Gina tells us, ”This year will be in memory of my mom.  She loved Halloween, too, and passed away last year on October 30th.  I was home with family last year so the W.E.B.  Kept the tradition going for me and this year therefore be the 4th Annual W.E.B. Party.  I have family coming up for the event, from SC, to help me celebrate one of my favorite events.”

This event always “casts a spell” on those who attend.

About the Authors: Jayne Ormerod is the author of “Secrets” and “The Sniper Sisters” in By the Bay: East Beach Stories. Her story “Write by the Bay” will be in Volume II, to be published in 2017.  For a complete list of Jayne’s other writings, please visit her website.