For the last 8 years my friend Debbie has hosted and organized an over the top blown out off the charts Witchfest. And just what is Witchfest, you ask? It’s a more the merrier everyone is invited luncheon of… witches. (We have yet to have a warlock join us.)
Debbie (below) makes all the decorations herself and this year Sami helped her put everything out. Wow!!! Every year she has also handmade each guest a surprise party favor. Debbie is incredibly creative. I don’t know how she does it. She thinks of everything!
Getting Ready
This was the first year I participated in a group costume. Kim, Deb, and I put our heads together and came up with a plan to be Voodoo Witches. All I have to say is… Thank you Pinterest!
Before we put on our dresses and jewelry, I was kinda feeling like Kung Fu Panda on a bad hair day.
At Witchfest
The only Witchfest “rule” is you must wear a hat. Costumes are optional. That’s why you see everything from “witches” in their everyday street clothes with their witchy hat on, to a full blown get-up complete with body paint, wigs, capes, and the like. Consequently, anything goes!
This year we had a record breaking 94 witches! Last year there were 86. I remember the first Witchfest in 2008 and I think there might have been 30 of us. (?) Each year it gets bigger and bigger and the costumes get more and more creative. We all vote for best costume, best group costumes, and best hat. So much fun!
Before we sit down to eat, we all clamor outside for a group photo. It’s chaotic and nobody listens to the photographer, Gary. He is so patient! We just can stop giggling.
From the bottom of our witchy little hearts…
A special thank you goes out to the Firefly Grill. We are a crazy coven and we appreciate being able to converge on you like this every year.
Finally, I can not thank you enough, Debbie, for pulling this altogether! We all look forward to it each and every year! I think I speak for all of us witches of witchfest… from the bottom of all of our witchy boots and brooms… THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
Deborah Ikemire
Is it ridiculous I tear up reading and looking at pictures of everyone!!? My mind is blown each and every year when I see all of the effort that people put into their witchy selves! My biggest fear each year is that people won’t come!? Or they will feel obligated to come! Then when I see all the time they had to put into their costumes I am like- wow wow wow! It’s an event where grown men can get as excited as they did at Halloween when they were kids I hope! You Missy made my day this summer when you texted even to her date for sure! Again mind blown by the wonderful Witches I know! We run the world! Or at least Firefly that day!!! THANK YOU FOR CAPTURING it so beautifully!! ???
Deborah Ikemire
Grown women! Not men! ???
Jan Berkbigler
Awesome time!!! Thank you, Debbie Ikemire!!! You are so creative and a marvelous hostess!! You made everyone feel so welcome!!! Thank you Madalaine for including the pics – there were so many people there I don’t think I saw everyone!!!
Firefly did a great job!! Thanks to all!!!
Madalaine
Thank you, Jan. I know what you mean! There are so many clever and creative witches there. It’s hard to take it all in! I think my favorite part is trying to figure out who’s under that hats. It’s hard to recognize anyone!
Martacarmela Sotelo
Dear Mada, I love to read your blogs! I love the way you make me see through your eyes. Always talking with love and passion about the people around you. Thanks for sharing!
Madalaine
Thank you so much, Maca! Your words mean so much to me!