Madison Witches Ride to return on Oct. 19, registration starts next week

MADISON – Sharpen those broom bristles. Dust off your pointed, black hat. Rehearse your spinetingling cackle. The time is near for the 2025 Madison Witches Ride.

Organized by Madison Visionary Partners or MVP, Madison Witches Ride on Oct. 19 will entertain spectators from 3 to 5 p.m. The activities will be staged on downtown streets and in Home Place Park.

Madison Witches Ride involves a lighthearted parade through downtown Madison as the witches ride bicycles, walk or dance in their krewe or individually. The menagerie of witches – funny or wicked – will spread Halloween cheer as they throw candy to hundreds of onlooking children along Garner and Main streets.

MVP selects a deserving community project as beneficiary of event proceeds. For 2025, all proceeds will help Miracle League of Madison, a grassroots project that is a transformative, community-led effort to build a fully inclusive Miracle League field at Palmer Park. With this addition, children of all abilities could experience the joy of playing baseball in a safe, accessible environment.

In the tentative event schedule, witches will check in from 2 to 2:45 p.m. and line up along the parade route. Lineup will continue from 2:45 to 3 p.m. Madison Witches Ride starts at 3 p.m. Spectators and witches can enjoy snacks from food trucks, groove to music and participate in witchy activities from 4 to 5 p.m. around Home Place Park.

Registration will open Sept. 1; visit mvpmadison. org/madison-witches- ride. All witches are welcome – good and bad, sweet or spooky, goofy or gorgeous! “Get your friends together and form a witch squad with your favorite costumes or fly solo,” MVP Executive Director Christina Hearne said.

Only family-friendly costumes will be permitted. Any costume or decorations considered unsuitable or inappropriate for children will be asked to change or leave. Political signage will not be permitted.

Volunteer signup will open soon for the Boo Crew. All participants in the ride and parade must be 18 years old minimum.

In case of rain, the event will be cancelled. MVP will donate registration fees to this year’s charity, Miracle League of Madison.

Madison Witches Ride is accepting sponsors to help make this event a success. For more information, email christina@mvpmadison.org, or visit mvpmadison.org/madison- witches-ride, and click the “Sponsorship Info” box.