Entering its 13th year, the Witches of Delray ride has turned into a powerful fundraising event for the Achievement Centers. Photo provided
By Amy Woods
The 13th annual charity bicycle ride organized by the Witches of Delray promises to cast a record-breaking spell upon its beneficiary.
With the event on track to welcome 300 hat-wearing, broom-wielding Wiccans on Oct. 26, it could conjure up $40,000 for the Achievement Centers for Children & Families.
“The funds raised make a huge impact here,” Achievement Centers CEO Stephanie Seibel said. “It allows us to run the programs, pay our teachers, turn the lights on and more.”
ACCF, which serves under-resourced children and families in Delray Beach and the surrounding communities, has received proceeds of more than $183,000 from the ride since 2012.
“I’ve been on the ride with the witches since its inception,” Seibel said. “There were just a handful of us in those early years. People really have been following this event for a long time, and it’s turned into more than just a race.”
A few new components have been added this year to celebrate the much-anticipated unlucky anniversary, including the “Not Your Basic Witch” hat-decorating event that took place Oct. 1. Also, two post-ride brunches have been reserved, at Deck 84 and Tin Roof. Those are in addition to Oct. 9’s Trivia Night and Oct. 18’s Witches Brew — both at Tim Finnegans Irish Pub.
“It has grown to such a huge party,” Andie DeVoe, co-founder of the ride, said of the Witches Brew. “We sell that out every year. Our witches can really dress up for the brew and then have something sporty for their bike.”
The 1½-mile route down Atlantic Avenue will take off at City Hall and fly by the Delray Beach Green Market, the Cornell Art Museum and the Colony Hotel, ending at Old School Square for the presentation of awards.
Awards such as Best Costume, Best Witch Cackle, Best Decorated Broom (Bike) and Best Group Theme will be bestowed as well as the Golden Broom award honoring a longtime local philanthropist.
“It just became this magic event that it is now,” DeVoe said. “To see what we’re doing go back into this community is really part of the magic for all of us.”
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