Dancing with Magic for the Halloween Season
By Penny Carlton, KeukaRoots.com
When the wind turns crisp and the leaves catch fire in hues of gold and crimson, something begins to stir in the Southern Tier of New York. The air hums with anticipation. Jack-o’-lanterns grin from porches. And if you listen closely—beyond the rustle of fallen leaves—you might just hear it…
The faint jingle of bells, the whisper of laughter, and the swish of skirts dancing in the twilight.
That’s when you know the Witches of the Southern Tier have arrived.
When Magic Wakes
Each October, just as Halloween peeks around the corner, a band of bewitching souls steps into the streets of towns like Penn Yan, Hammondsport, and Bath. But these are no ordinary witches. Led by the ever-charming Delia Lopez-Stull, a former New York City police officer turned enchantress of the stage, the coven is made up of teachers, doctors, artists, and everyday dreamers who trade in stethoscopes and lesson plans for wands and wonder.
With handcrafted costumes stitched from creativity and joy, and dances choreographed to the heartbeat of the season, they bring enchantment wherever they go. Each performance is a spell—a celebration of laughter, community, and the kind of magic you can’t quite explain but always feel.
A Spell in Motion
Picture this: a quiet town square, leaves swirling at your feet. The chatter of the crowd fades as music begins to rise, and then—out of nowhere—they appear. A shimmer of color. A swirl of movement.
Witches dancing in perfect rhythm, their laughter ringing like silver bells.
In Hammondsport, they twirl through misty evenings under lamplight, their shadows stretching long and mysterious. At the Windmill Farm in Penn Yan, they dance under sunlit skies, their steps scattering joy like autumn leaves in the breeze. For a few magical moments, the ordinary world fades away—and all that remains is wonder.
A Circle of Joy
But the Witches of the Southern Tier don’t just perform—they connect. Their magic is woven from friendship, creativity, and community spirit. Families gather close, children’s eyes go wide, and even the most serious grown-ups can’t help but smile. Phones rise to capture the moment, but what they record is only part of the spell—the rest lives in the laughter, in the goosebumps, in the hush that falls when something truly special is happening.
Where to Find Them
If you find yourself wandering through the Finger Lakes this Halloween season, keep your eyes open. They might appear in a park, a market, or a town square near you—dancing up a little mischief and a lot of joy.
You can follow their trail of magic on Facebook, or peek at past performances on YouTube. But if you’re lucky enough to see them in person, prepare to be enchanted.
Because once you’ve seen the Witches of the Southern Tier dance, you’ll never again doubt that magic is real—especially when the autumn wind begins to whisper through the trees.
And so, when twilight falls and the wind carries a hint of mischief through the Southern Tier, listen closely… for you just might hear the laughter of witches dancing somewhere beyond the leaves, keeping the spirit of magic alive for one more autumn night.:
This week’s schedule:
The Windmill Saturday October 25th 12:30
Keuka Springs Saturday October 25th 2:45
Bath Village Park Saturday October 25th 5:30
