Wanted: Flash mob witches to cast joy over downtown

Each year on All Hallows’ Eve, a coven of witches descends upon downtown Morganton, dancing and cackling as smoke curls around them and the words “Schüttel deinen Speck” are chanted, entrancing the crowd as the witches — break a leg, shake a broom, and dance up a storm at Morganton’s annual Spooktacular.

It’s no ritual. It’s a flash mob, and it’s all in good fun. Even the song, “Schüttel deinen Speck,” isn’t as intimidating as it may sound. It’s German, and it means “shake your bacon.”

The Witches Flash Mob has been an event each Halloween during Morganton’s Spooktacular festival for the last nine years, said organizer Diana Register.

Register said she was inspired when she saw a video of a German dance troupe performing at a spring festival, dressed as woodland witches.

“I got excited about it and called Sherri McGimsey, because she had been my daughter’s dance teacher, and said, ‘We need to do this on Halloween. We need to do a flash mob,’” Register said.

McGimsey learned the dance that was performed by the German troupe and taught it to the first group of flash mobbers. The same choreography has been performed since. Register said the dance is done by communities all over the world.

“The whole thing for me was to have an opportunity for women, a diverse group of women, regardless of their dance ability, their size, their shape, their color, their whatever,” Register said. “Whatever their political beliefs are, doesn’t matter. It’s a group of women getting out together and having some silly fun for Halloween.”

Only women can join the flash mob, Register said, and people can still join now. Register said joining is free, and all a person has to do is show up at a rehearsal.

Remaining rehearsals are today at 4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 26, at 4 p.m. Both rehearsals will be held at Sherri’s School of Dance at 114 W. Union St. in Morganton.

Register said those interested can join the Facebook group for updates and additional resources, such as videos of the dance for at-home practice. The Facebook group is called Halloween Flash Mob-Witches Dance.

Each participant puts together their own witch costume, which can have any theme. Register said her costume this year will be a storybook witch. The only requirement is that the costume is family-friendly.

For those interested in watching the show, the flash mob will be in downtown Morganton at about 4:15 p.m. on Halloween.

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR EVENTS

There will be several more events accompanying the witches flash mob in downtown Morganton during the Halloween Spooktacular.

Starting at 3 p.m., downtown merchants with friendly ghost window decals will be handing out treats to costumed children. A full map of participating businesses will be available at www.downtownmorganton.com.

Meanwhile, from 3-6 p.m. on the Historic Burke County Courthouse lawn, there will be a Halloween Carnival offering free hayrides and inflatables, courtesy of Summit Community Church.

Towering over the spooktacular fun, 10-foot-tall skeleton stilt walkers will be roaming the square, watching over the crowd.

For the best dressed costume contest, registration opens at 3:30 p.m. near the Historic Courthouse. Judging will be from 5-6 p.m. Downtown Bucks will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners in the following categories: newborn to 2 years, ages 3-5, ages 6-10, and group/family, which is three or more people with a theme.

There is no cost to participate in the costume contest and no registration required for any of the other activities. The event is also free for all ages.

“This event is about more than just candy — it’s about bringing our community together in a safe, festive, and welcoming way,” said Kasey Goodfellow, community events coordinator for the Main Street Office. “Whether you’re a Morganton local or visiting from a neighboring town, we invite everyone to join us downtown and make some Halloween memories.”

TREATS IN THE STREETS

In Valdese, the Halloween festivities start at 4 p.m. on Oct. 31 with the town’s annual Treats in the Streets event. Participating businesses will be giving away candy, plus there will be live music, a costume contest, and prizes.

“This is a safe and fun event for the entire family,” said Community Affairs Director Morrissa Angi in a news release. “It’s always a joy to see the creativity in costumes and feel the excitement in the air. Supporting our local shops helps events like this thrive – and keeps our small town a wonderful place to live and visit.”

The Town of Valdese’s Facebook page has a map of the event and a list of participating downtown businesses.

TRAIL OF TREATS

The Town of Rutherford College will host its annual Trail of Treats event on Friday, Oct. 24, from 5-7 p.m. at the Greenway Park adjacent to Town Hall.

Children may walk around the Greenway and collect treats from churches, businesses, and other Rutherford College organizations.

Organizers encourage decorations, themes, and costumes that are family-friendly. They note that last year more than 700 children visited the Trail of Treats during the two-hour timeframe.