REHOBOTH BEACH, De. – The annual Sea Witch Halloween and Fiddlers' Festival is back in downtown Rehoboth Beach, Delaware to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
Thousands of people attended dressed in Halloween costumes with their trick-or-treat baskets ready to catch candy being thrown by walkers in the parade.
The parade featured local businesses, musicians and marching bands, nonprofits, and politicians all passing out treats and business cards to the crowds lining Rehoboth Avenue.
Leslie Slan and her husband from Bethesda, Md., own a home in Rehoboth and wanted to take their grandchildren to Sea Witch for trick-or-treating.
“To me, it's like old time Americana,” said Slan. “It's just wonderful. And everybody's out here friendly and happy and just enjoying the beautiful day.”
Unlike the Slans, Sea Witch was a new experience for Eileen Grove, who was there cheering on the parade walkers with two young children.
“I'm here because my daughter lives here and works at Arenas,” said Grove, “and I came for the first time to see the parade.”
Sea Witch is not only a spirit booster for the festival goers, it's also a great boost in revenue for the downtown businesses that see an influx of foot traffic in just a matter of days.
Robert Wood, owner of Grub Grocery, said he couldn't be happier with the attention his store gets from Sea Witch.
“It's great,” said Wood, “it brings thousands and thousands of people to the area, and (it's been) steady and busy all morning.”
Sea Witch began on Saturday, Oct. 25 and concludes on Sunday, Oct. 26 with a second parade featuring pets.
