Logan locals sweep the dance floor at the “Broomstick Boogie”

Brooms were ready, costumes were on and the Halloween spirit was alive at Carol and Jim Laub Plaza as Logan residents gathered for the “Broomstick Boogie” on Oct. 24.  

According to the City of Logan’s Instagram account, the Broomstick Boogie is an annual event organized by the Logan Parks & Recreation Department. The dance takes place during the week leading up to Halloween in downtown Logan. 

The free event welcomes people of all ages. Locals are encouraged to dress up in costume and participate in the spooky activities it has to offer. The event started at 5 p.m., where attendees were given the opportunity to take pictures with the “witches.”  

The performers at the Broomstick Boogie, known as the witches, are a group of Cache Valley dancers who dress up and perform at various events throughout October. Calling themselves “Logan’s Hocus Pocus Magic Witches,” the dancers have been making appearances throughout the valley all season long. On Oct. 3, they performed at the Maker’s Market in Hyrum, followed by appearances at the Cache Valley Gardener’s Market, Willow Park in Logan and Boo Fest in River Heights on Oct. 10.  

The witches encourage anyone interested in joining their group to check out their Instagram account, @logans.practicalmagicwitches, as well as their Facebook group, Logan Hocus Pocus Magic dancing witches Group (Practical Magic).  

 Beyond their performances, the group emphasizes friendship, community involvement and a shared love of Halloween. 

 “We are a group of ladies who love friendship and camaraderie. We are not actual witches nor do we practice any form of witchcraft. We all have a love for Halloween and want to share our love for the holiday with our community,” the Facebook group’s description says. “We will be performing in different events through-out the year and hope you will join us and come participate with us!”   

 That sense of community was reflected in the performers’ interactions with attendees, especially the children who came to take pictures with them. 

 “Taking pictures with the kids is my favorite part,” said Fauna, one of the witches. Fauna was dressed up alongside her two other witch friends as the Three Good Fairies, inspired by Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” film.  

 While meeting young attendees was a highlight for Fauna, the witches also hoped to encourage more people to get involved in local events. 

 “We really want people to pay more attention to what is happening in the community and just have fun,” said Merryweather, one of the other witches dressed up as the Three Good Fairies.  

 After pictures ended at 5:45 p.m., the dancing began. Halloween songs such as “Monster Mash” and “Spooky, Scary Skeletons” boomed from the speakers around, and attendees soon started to boogie.  

 One child, dressed up as a pink axolotl, was seen doing the robot on the dance floor. A couple of guests dressed as zombies gave their insight on the event.   

 “I come every year, and I was going to join, but I got too busy. We are from California, so we aren’t used to stuff like this, but it’s nice to come to a small-town activity with other friends and show others around Center Street,” said Naomi Inda, one of the zombies. 

 For others, the appeal of the event came from the chance to embrace Halloween alongside fellow community members. 

 “I just really like Halloween, and I wanted to do more Halloween activities. I like how everybody gets into the music and dresses up. It makes it fun for everybody,” said Alex Higgenson, the other zombie attendee.  

 At 6:15 p.m., the all-ages dance ended, and the witches started to perform. Purple, blue and green lights were illuminated from the stage. The witches could be seen wearing colorful, light-up dresses and holding large, wooden staffs. 

 All of the witches were dressed in corsets, glitter and pointy hats. Some performers were dressed as gray, eerie skeletons, and others were dressed as white, silly ghosts. The witches held up their staff and walked around in circles, with scary music playing in the background. After the witches stopped their dance, the performers were congratulated and attendees were given the chance, once again, to get pictures. 

 During the event, participants could also do crafts, get their face painted or wait in line to get some sweet ice cream at the Handel’s shop nearby.  

 At 8 p.m., the event came to an end. Ghouls had to go back to their caves, mummies went back to their tombs, and the witches returned to their coven. Broomstick Boogie gave the Cache Valley community a night of seasonal celebration and spooky fun.