Madison Witches Ride flies back to town on Oct. 22

MADISON – Take care, my pretties (and the little dog, too)! The beautiful, the brazen and the bad creatures will fly in to town for the second annual Madison Witches Ride, Roll & Stroll.

This fun-filled, two-mile bike ride/walk and pet parade will feature festive local witches of all sorts riding their brooms (bikes), parading their pets. These witches do have good personalities as they spread Halloween cheer by throwing candy to hundreds of onlooking children along the route.

The Witches Ride takes off at 2 p.m. on Oct. 22.

Madison Witches Ride, Roll & Stroll attracts residents for a charitable cause. Madison Visionary Partners or MVP organizes the event to benefit a deserving community project. “There has never been a better way to showcase your Halloween spirit,” Stephenie Walker said. Walker is Committee Chair for the ride.

“Registration opens Sept. 1 at noon. All witches welcome – good and bad, sweet or spooky, goofy or gorgeous,” Walker said. “Get your friends together and form a Witch Squad with your favorite costumes or fly solo. We welcome witches of all sorts.”

The witches will congregate at Journey Middle School, proceed north past the stadium and turn right on Garner Street. Turn left of Shorter Street and go to Home Place Park.

“Stay for the Black Hat Block Party and Barks & Boos Pet Parade after the witches fly,” Walker said.

Rain date will be Oct. 30.

Madison Visionary Partners or MVP soon will announce the beneficiary for the funds raised by the Madison Witches Ride, according to MVP Executive Director Melanie Thornton.

“We are seeking sponsors to support the Witches Ride. This is a great opportunity for small businesses to participate in a growing community event that raises money for (projects) in the City of Madison. Last year, the ride raised over $6,000 to benefit the Kids Kingdom Inclusive Playground,” Thornton said.

Several levels of sponsorship are available for the 2023 event:

* Platinum Broom Presenting Sponsor – The largest donation, $10,000, with naming rights; invitation to MVP Awards Luncheon; company logo on promotional materials; and 15 ride entries.

* Crystal Hat Sponsor — $5,000. Company logo on promotions, information booth and 10 ride entries.

* Gold Cauldron Sponsor — $2,500. Logo on promotions, booth and eight ride entries.

* Silver Wand Sponsor — $1,000. Logo on promotions, four ride entries.

* Bronze Goblet Sponsor — $500. Logo on website, two ride entries.

“Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to honoring your sponsorship throughout the year. Together, we can make this enchanting and beloved event a success for local families,” Walker said.

Ride registration will open on Sept. 1.

To-date, Signalink and Synovus have signed on as sponsors for the 2023 Madison Witches Ride sponsors. To learn more about sponsorship, visit mvpmadison.org/madison-witches-ride and click the sponsorship link.