The brooms are back: T-Town Witches Ride returns to benefit Arc of Tuscaloosa County

COVID-19 had such a terrible impact on society last year it even managed to sideline the witches of Tuscaloosa.

The good news is that the witches will ride again Oct. 17 in the Arc of Tuscaloosa County's fourth annual T-Town Witches Ride. 

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The event will feature participants dressed in Halloween costumes and riding decorated bikes through the streets of Tuscaloosa to raise money for the Arc, an organization that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

"We are very excited to be back in person. Because of COVID, we had to be virtual last year," said Delshonda Thomas, executive director of the Arc of Tuscaloosa County. "We are hoping people will take this opportunity to get back out since we’ve been in so long because of the pandemic. We hope people will get back out and participate again." 

For $25, anyone can sign up to participate in the event. Judging for best dressed witch, best decorated broom-cycle, and the best group of witches will take place between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Government Plaza, 2106 Sixth St. The ride will begin at 5 p.m. and will proceed for 2 miles through Tuscaloosa neighborhoods. There will also be a 1-mile walk for those who don't wish to ride bikes.

Registration for the Witches Ride is available through the eventbrite.com website. Additional information can be obtained about the event through the T-Town Witches Ride Facebook page, by calling the Arc of Tuscaloosa County 205-556-4900 or by visiting www.thearcoftuscaloosa.org.

Support for the event can also come in the form of sponsorships. The Arc is offering  several sponsorship levels for individuals or corporate entities. Sponsorship's are sought at the $5,000, $2500, $1000, $500 and $250 levels. Each level comes with free tickets to ride in the event.

The $5,000 level, the Premiere Broom Cycle Sponsor, receives 10 tickets. The $2,500 level, the Black Hat sponsor, receives eight tickets. The $1,000 level, the Broom sponsor, receives six tickets. The $500 level, the Cauldron sponsor, receives four  tickets and the $250 level, the Black Cat sponsor, receives two tickets.

All the money raised goes toward meeting the Arc's transportation needs.  

"Our theme is  'We ride so they can ride,' " Thomas said. "Transportation is one of our largest expenses here. We have 12- and 15-passenger vans that cost a lot to maintain. Those large vans are expensive, so we are trying to transition down to minivans. All the money we raise will go toward the cost of transportation and purchasing smaller vehicles.”

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n 2019, the last year the ride happened in-person, Thomas said they had 175 participants. This year, organizers are hoping for a larger turnout of around 200 riders.

There will also be an after-event party at Moe's Original Barbecue, 2101 University Blvd. The party  will feature a food buffet and an open bar. Anyone can purchase a $25 ticket and attend the Witches Brew Ha-Ha at Moe's, even if they did not ride in the event.