Witches Night Out planned for Bellport Village on Thursday, Oct. 30

If you’re in Bellport Village on Thursday, Oct. 30, you’ll see a group of women dressed as witches stopping in at local businesses starting at 5 p.m.

“A Ladies Night coven, flying through town on our brooms, supporting local businesses, joining together in toil and trouble, cackling and commiserating over potent potables,” the flyer for the event reads. “Witch hats and brooms encouraged.”

It’s the second year for Witches Night Out, which is organized by Bellport resident Colleen Finegan. She is partnering on the event with the Bellport Chamber of Commerce. Several downtown businesses, including Bellport Arts & Framing Studio, Summer Salt Beach and Surf and TOLA, will be offering discounts on merchandise, Finegan said. Some restaurants will offer food or drink specials. And some locations will be collecting canned food and cash donations for Lighthouse Mission, Finegan said.

The fun starts at 5 p.m. at Bellport Apothecary and makes its way down South Country Road to Avino’s restaurant.

“It’s just such a fun night and it brings business into the shops and the restaurants,” Finegan said.

Between 45 and 50 women participated in last year’s inaugural event, Finegan said.

Finegan’s recent post about the event on the Bellport Village Residents Facebook page drew more than 560 “likes” and more than 75 shares, so Finegan is expecting a larger turnout this year.

“We could have 200 this year,” she said.

Finegan said she got the idea for the event when she learned some other towns on Long Island do something similar around Halloween.

For example, Northport is holding a Witches & Warlocks Night. Witches Night Out events are being held in Cold Spring Harbor and Port Jefferson.

There is no cost to attend, and registration is not required. Just show up at Bellport Apothecary, 151 South Country Road,  at 5 p.m. Thursday in your best witch or warlock costume.