'Witches' are grabbing their brooms and preparing to ride around Oak Island this Halloween

A few days before Halloween, witches will grab their brooms, hop on their bicycles and begin visiting places around Oak Island.

But instead of congregating around cauldrons with snips and snails, these witches will gather around tables sipping from wine and pilsner glasses. These witches don’t want to evoke fear; they just wanna have fun.

And since they are participants in the third annual Oak Island Witches Ride, there will be no shortage of fun. Carrie Lenzen started the witches ride on Oak Island in 2021. She explained it is patterned after a similar ride in Southport.

“A friend of mine does the Southport Witches Ride, and it was more on the ‘if you know someone, you can participate’ program,” she said. “And it was difficult for a lot of us to get our bikes and transport them over to Southport and do it. A ton of fun, but very difficult to drive our bikes over.”

In both events, participants — mostly women — dress in their best witchy attire, carry special brooms, and ride on bicycle or golf carts to visit participating restaurants, bars, and eateries. Often the places offer themed cocktails and appetizer specials on the day of the ride. The Oak Island event culminates with all the witches gathering to perform a special choreographed dance, which they admit can be a bit chaotic after throwing back a few cocktails.

The Oak Island event began with a format like the Southport Witches Ride with participants inviting their friends. About 30 women participated that first year, and afterward, people began asking Lenzen how they could be involved. She decided to make the ride open to anyone, and as a result, they had more than 300 people participate in 2022.

“It honestly was the perfect event for women who really didn’t know anybody else to get together and have fun,” she explained.

Women who had moved down shortly before or during the COVID-19 pandemic hadn’t had much opportunity to meet people, and the ride helped them connect with others.

Also in the second year, Lenzen decided since they were all gathered, they should make it an annual fundraiser benefitting Oak Island Water Rescue, a non-profit, all-volunteer emergency response that aids distressed swimmers and boaters. Lenzen asks participants to make a minimum donation of $7 to Oak Island Water Rescue and sells shirts for the event with proceeds going to the organization. Volunteers are stationed at the different businesses along the way with raffle tickets and information about the organization.

More: Brunswick County’s brewery scene is getting ready to explode. Here’s what we know.

In addition to supporting the rescue organization, it also provides a boost to many of the local restaurants and bars during what is typically a slow time.

“We’re not as busy in the off-season, so residents can try a new place,” Lenzen said.

Recently, about 100 of the witches — and soon-to-be witches — gathered at Middleton Park on Oak Island to practice the choreographed dance. Chris Gordon, who led the group as they learned the choreography, said she enjoys the event and looks forward to it each year.

“I just love the water rescue, and I love my fellow witches,” she said. “It’s good fun for a good cause.”

When asked what made the ride so fun, Gordon and the women around her were quick to answer.

“We do!” they shouted.

Even those who don’t join in the fun gather around to observe the antics and see the costumes.

“Seeing the witches on the road is hilarious,” Lenzen said. “Children like it, our residents love it. It’s just getting out and having fun.”

While the event is “ride at your own risk,” the women say they do have designated drivers, and Lenzen works with the Oak Island Police Department to ensure everyone stays safe during the ride. Traditionally, the event had included cyclists only, but understanding not everyone can ride a bike, it was opened to golf carts. However, Lenzen explained the “OG Witches” will all be on bikes.

“We decorate them, and we go all out, playing music, singing, acting like fools and having a good time,” she said.

The third annual Oak Island Witches Ride is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28. For more details or to participate, contact Lenzen through the event’s Facebook page, 3rd annual OKI Witches Ride.

STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the area’s latest Brunswick County news by signing up for the Brunswick Today newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Annual 'Witches Ride' returns to Oak Island this Halloween