It was a nearly sold out event for the Franklin Retail and Business Association's third annual Witch Walk.
"It went really well. Lots of happy people. Lot of happy businesses," Jennifer Taylor, association manager said late Saturday.
The event had attracted some unplanned attention earlier in the week after St. Patrick's Catholic Church posted a diatribe condemning the event as a religious gathering instead of its intent as a retail-based holiday celebration. The post, which garnered thousands of comments and attention from regional media outlets brought in a slightly larger crowd than past years.
"It went really well. Lots of happy people. Lot of happy businesses," Jennifer Taylor, association manager said late Saturday.
The event had attracted some unplanned attention earlier in the week after St. Patrick's Catholic Church posted a diatribe condemning the event as a religious gathering instead of its intent as a retail-based holiday celebration. The post, which garnered thousands of comments and attention from regional media outlets brought in a slightly larger crowd than past years.
"I think more people may have come downtown. They didn’t necessarily buy tickets, but they came down to see what was going on," Taylor said. "The businesses got a lot of foot traffic, which is really the whole point of the event; and everyone is really happy with how it turned out."
"And the weather wasn’t great, but it was the busiest year I’ve had yet so I’d say it didn’t keep anyone away," said Nicholas Hess, who owns a small business and helped plan the event.
The day included specials at downtown stores and restaurants, a scavenger hunt, pumpkin carving, spooky stories, performances by the Dancing Witches of Emlenton, and shows by mentalist Rob Hoover. A block of 12th street was also shut down and transformed into Witches Alley, which Hess says was an awesome additional to the event.
"And the weather wasn’t great, but it was the busiest year I’ve had yet so I’d say it didn’t keep anyone away," said Nicholas Hess, who owns a small business and helped plan the event.
The day included specials at downtown stores and restaurants, a scavenger hunt, pumpkin carving, spooky stories, performances by the Dancing Witches of Emlenton, and shows by mentalist Rob Hoover. A block of 12th street was also shut down and transformed into Witches Alley, which Hess says was an awesome additional to the event.
“I’m incredibly grateful that the community — both near and far— showed up in full force to support this event," Hess said. "It was such a monumental task to pull off, with dedicated volunteers, and business owners alike, so seeing the community rally, and offer a safe place for people to have fun was magic to be a part of."
As far as concerns that the unaccepted buzz for and against the event would cause any type of unwanted activities, Taylor said simply did not transpire. "The most out of the ordinary thing I saw was a girl with a chicken. I don’t think it was anything evil. I think it was a pet chicken,” Taylor said with a giggle.
As far as concerns that the unaccepted buzz for and against the event would cause any type of unwanted activities, Taylor said simply did not transpire. "The most out of the ordinary thing I saw was a girl with a chicken. I don’t think it was anything evil. I think it was a pet chicken,” Taylor said with a giggle.
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