Something wickedly
wonderful in
Coldwater
Thousands of witches, a main street full of music and magic, and a third-Friday-in-October tradition that just keeps growing.
You could hear it before you could see it
Rick James’ 1981 hit “Super Freak” was blasting through the speakers, and I have to tell you, there could not have been a better soundtrack. Witch hats bobbed above the crowd. Laughter drifted past the vendor tents. And somewhere between the broomsticks, the glowing decorations and a giant skeleton, Coldwater had turned into something spectacular.
On Friday, October 16, the historic Ontario village handed its main drag over to the Witches Walk. Thousands of people packed the street for a celebration that felt like equal parts Halloween party, street festival and wonderfully eccentric community reunion.
Forget driving through. The witches had claimed the road, and vendors lined both sides. Every few steps brought another surprise: costumes worthy of a movie set, handmade goods, live entertainment, food stations and enough mystical merchandise to stock a wizard’s cupboard.
Witches, warlocks and
wonderful weirdness
Some people arrived with a simple pointed hat. Others went all in. A mysterious plague doctor stood out in black leather and a beaked mask. A towering skeleton kept watch over the festivities. Two witches posed with their broomsticks, while a black-and-white- striped character offered a mischievous nod to the movies.
And the people-watching? Worth the trip all by itself. It was the kind of evening when strangers stopped to compliment costumes, friends gathered for photographs, and the whole village seemed to share one giant grin.
A marketplace with a little magic
Vendor booths stretched along the street, selling apparel, decorations, curious keepsakes and all manner of imaginative creations. There were psychic readings, tarot and oracle cards, fortune telling and plenty of chances to see what the future might hold, or simply to enjoy the fun of it.
There was food to keep everyone going, music to keep the atmosphere lively, and no shortage of places to stop and browse. The shopfronts and stalls became part of the show, proof that local entrepreneurs can bring just as much personality to an event as the entertainers.
A village with history and imagination
The setting is half the charm. Coldwater’s old brick storefronts and walkable main street make a natural stage for an event like this. Nearby, the historic Coldwater Mill traces its beginnings to 1833, a reminder that this community has been bringing people together for generations.
For one October evening, that familiar village atmosphere takes on an entirely new personality. A glowing fire gathers costumed visitors. An improvised graveyard adds an eerie detour. Shop windows spill light onto a street full of witches. It is theatrical without losing the warmth of a genuine small town.
Sometimes a historic main street, a terrific bunch of people and a little imagination will do just fine. COLDWATER PROVED IT
The magic is in the community
There is a bigger story here than broomsticks and spooky costumes. A crowd like this introduces new visitors to Coldwater’s merchants, brings customers to independent vendors and gives people a reason to discover the village again. The benefits of a successful local event ripple well beyond one Friday night.
I have organized enough events to appreciate how much work goes into a night like this: organizers, volunteers, businesses, vendors, entertainment, street logistics and the many people working behind the scenes. To the town organizers and everyone who made it happen, take a bow. You knocked it out of the park!
What makes the night so memorable is its joyful lack of pretension. It is creative, a little outrageous, welcoming and full of energy. You don’t need a giant entertainment complex to make something magical.
And judging by the sea of witch hats, this thing just keeps growing. I love it! Until next October, keep those broomsticks polished. Something tells us the witches are just getting started.
Mark your calendar. The Witches Walk lands on the third Friday in October, which puts next year’s on Friday, October 15, 2027. Bring a hat.