You are invited to come out and have a bewitching good time at Witches Night Out in Historic Downtown Fenton on Friday, October 13 from 4-9pm. According to Brenda Hasse, award-winning author and event co-chair along with Karen Piacentini, Owner of Fenton’s Open Book store, Witches Night Out is in its sixth year and has continued to grow in popularity.
Photos provided by Brenda Hasse
The idea for the event came about after Hasse attended a similar one in Howell. “I thought this would be something fun to do in Fenton,” says Hasse, “and it was a hit!” This year, they expect approximately 750-1,000 people to attend.
Attendees receive free shopping bags at the Fenton Museum and after that, the sidewalks are filled with patrons dressed as a good witch, bad witch, a wizard or Halloween character. One year, a patron was seen dressed all in pink as “Glinda the Good Witch” from “The Wizard of Oz.” “People go all out,” Hasse says, “and the business owners dress up, too.”
According to Hasse, around 34 businesses in the Downtown Shopping District participate. Some offer door prizes, have drawings and serve special treats including beverages, cookies, popcorn and more. “The event is very good for businesses,” she points out. “It is good sales for the shops and the restaurants are packed.”
Witches Night Out not only encourages people to shop local, it is also a fundraiser for Fenton Firefighter Charities. Many of the businesses display the firefighter boot which patrons are encouraged to “stuff” with donations to support local charities. “Firefighters do a lot for our community,” Hasse adds.
The first two Witches Nights Out experienced rainy weather, but it was especially successful in 2020 when everything was shut down due to the pandemic. “It was so much fun!” Hasse remembers. “People just wanted to get out of the house and the weather was so nice.”
The fun continues! The same evening, Southern Lakes Parks & Recreation (SLPR) and the Fenton Community & Cultural Center (FCCC) will host a Halloween Arts & Crafts Market from 5-8pm (free admission) followed by the annual Witches & Wizards Ball (8-11pm) which includes a costume contest.
Tickets for the Ball are $10 per person in advance or $15 per person at the door after 5pm. A cash bar will offer soft drinks and Craft Beer from Hartland/Linden Brewery & Wine. A fire-juggling witch and deejay will perform on the front lawn of the FCCC, as well as the “Wolfshager Hexengrut Walpurges Wolfshagen” dancing witches who will appear at 6pm and invite everyone to participate in the spooky celebration.
For more information, visit slpr.net/programs/special-events/witches-and-wizards-ball/
