Every year we go to Gardener Village’s Witch Fest. It is the kick-off event my children look the most forward to–the opportunity to dress up, see hilarious and clever witches on display and celebrate the season of fall. This year we added to the event by doing the Ride to a Witch activity. It is now part of our “must-do” tradition.
On September 16, a new Witch was named Queen. Carmel Mirandwitch, Queen Witch 2011 of Gardner Village Witch Fest! My cockroaches and rats are cheering! Join all the new and really old witches here at Gardner Village this upcoming season.
We really had no idea what to expect. We headed to the ticket booth. It’s located near the west gate, where the pony rides are, across from the infamous silo:
The Gardener Village Silo
We bought the tickets…
My kiddos squirmed and squealed with they had to hang on to cockroaches while we waited for the tractor. They were cautioned, “Don’t shake them up because they throw up!” which really had them tending to the little creatures.
The Kiddos pose with Carmel Miranda with–the 2011 Queen Witch
While waiting, we were so fortunate to meet Carmel Mirandawitch, the 2011 Queen Witch.
There was very little waiting time before the tractor arrived. The kiddos mounted the trailer then sat nervously, uncertain of what lies ahead.
The Orange Arrow points to Cricket Hollow Swamp–our destination
The tractor pulled us along the road. The kiddos were so excited to see their destination, Cricket Hollow Swamp, on the horizon.
We arrived at Cricket Hollow Swamp
The tractor ride was a lot of fun, but we were eager to meet the live witches of Cricket Hollow Swamp.
Thankfully, Visitors are Welcome
We were greeted immediately by Prudence, my children’s absolute favorite witch of the day!
Prudence Greets Us and engages in conversation with the Kiddos
Prudence lead us to the door of the witches home. Here she offered a single tootsie roll to the guest who cackled like a witch. There were no immediate takers and then Li’l Man, stepped up and cackled, though not loudly, taking the tootsie roll and gaining us all entry inside where we were told to look and TOUCH whatever we wanted.
Inside the witches home–meeting their shrunken grandma (on the bed)
The Beauty Queen admires herself in the Witches’ Vanity
The Witches were a hospital, offering us up trays of h’ordeuvres
Prudence even cooked us up a post of cockroach stew
Li’l Man was the only one willing to try it!
This witch asked us about Justin Beiber
Disco Die-ana showed us Stanley, the Turkin (her ex-husband)
Witches also do laundry
Prudence took us to Disco Die-Ana’s cave to learn some dance moves
Here’s the class where the kiddos are instructed to do Werewolves, Mummies, flick the slime, melt like a witch and more all to the tune of a popular disco song!
After a few practices runs in Disco Die-Ana’s cave, the kiddos hit the stage for their performance.
Then the kiddos gathered with Cruella for a cooking class, where they made a potion for pink, hairy toes in the morning!
Curella and The Beauty Queen adding ingredients to the potion for Pink, Hairy Toes
Curella showed us the Night Spa
Playing la cucharocha in the cemetery
The kiddos with the witches in the graveyard
Then it was time to head back to Gardner Village.
We rode the tractor pull back with Disco Die-Ana, who taught us her “chicken dance.”
Disco Die-Ana teaches us the Chicken Dance
Almost back to Gardner Village, we stopped to pick up Mildew Rose. She rode the tractor ride all the way back to Gardner Village!
Mildew Rose
This was truly the highlight of our time spent at the Witch Fest. It was wacky and fun, and the kiddos just loved the interaction and being able to touch things! Tickets are $5 and include the stories, magic and live witches that make it a moment to remember!
Meet the 2011 Witch Royalty:
Carmel Mirandawitch-2011 Queen
Disco Die-Ana – 2011 1st Attendant
Fanny Fiddlewitch – 2nd Attendant
Curella – 3rd Attendant