This City in Georgia Is One of many Finest Halloween Locations for Its Haunted Mansions, Ghost Excursions, and ‘Witch Float’ Down the River

The calendar has turned the web page to September, which implies we aren’t simply firmly in autumn, we’re additionally firmly in spooky season. And should you and your coven are on the lookout for an ideal place to have a good time this notably ghoulish time of 12 months, we have got an thought for you. 

Every October, in Macon, Georgia, a whole lot of witches take to the Ocmulgee River to see if they’ll float. (OK, they cheat a bit bit by truly taking standup paddleboards and canoes for a bit trip down the river, however we cannot maintain that in opposition to them.)

The annual Witches Float at Amerson River Park invitations “witches, warlocks, and wizards” to swap their broomsticks for paddles and get into the “spirit of the season with this family-friendly occasion.” Visitors are inspired to attend in costume and convey any non-motorized flotation system they need. 

The 2024 occasion will happen on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 2-5 p.m. native time, with all of the witches gathering at 3 p.m. earlier than taking to the water. Don’t fret about getting again to the place to begin; these witches have a spell for that. (Positive, they’ve a shuttle bus, however it’s the identical factor.) 

Now, this is the very best half: the $25 common payment and the $30 day-of payment go to an ideal trigger. Proceeds from the float profit Macon Intervals Simpler, a nonprofit that works to “increase consciousness of interval poverty in Center, Georgia, present menstrual merchandise to these in want, and  normalize the dialog about menstruation.” A part of the proceeds additionally go to the Scholarship Fund for ABC Breathe. 

And whereas that is definitely the spotlight of the season in Macon, there’s nonetheless lots to see and do when you’re on the town earlier than or after the float. 

You see, the city is house to almost 180 Victorian mansions which might be all fairly darn spooky and completely crammed with ghosts. Do not simply take our phrase for it. You possibly can be a part of the Ghost Hunt Weekends crew each weekend in October to go to native haunted historic areas, together with the Grand Opera Home, 1842 Inn, Fort Hawkins, and the Douglass Theatre … should you dare. 

You may also participate in not one however two ultra-spooky strolling excursions, together with the Haunts & Historical past on the Hill, a strolling ghost tour of Macon’s Intown neighborhood, and Saints and Sinners, a strolling tour by means of Riverside Cemetery with actors representing spirits of a few of Macon’s historic characters. And at last, you’ll be able to take part on the seventeenth annual Thriller Parade and be among the many a whole lot of zombies who recreate Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance sequence yearly. 

As for the place to remain, there could also be no higher spot than The 1842 Inn, which is believed to be haunted by the ghost of John Gresham, the mayor of Macon, who died right here in 1900. Perhaps you’ll be able to invite just a few of your new witch associates over for a seance when you’re at it.