(Joliet, IL)  Hundreds of “Witches” flew into Joliet on Thursday for the highly anticipated inaugural Witches’ Night Out, a costume event benefiting organizations serving women and children in need.   Held from 5 to 10 p.m. at the historic Joliet Renaissance Center, the event offered a Witches’ Bizarre for great shopping, “enchanting” food for the hungry ,“batty” beverages for the thirsty, best costume, best hat, best broom contests and more.

In her post-event remarks, the event organizer spoke of the funding need for women and child services in the community and how this event played its part.  “The impetus for Witches’ Night Out is community investment and for us that is a combination of fund raising, sponsorship support as well as investing our personal time and skills in making this event a success,” event Chair Kathleen Mihelich said.  Co-chair Barb Delaney added that this event today has involved more than 40 volunteers and an organizing committee of 16 women who planned this event for months. 

Dozens of witches participated in the costume contests. Prizes were gift certificates from area restaurants.  “The event has surpassed our expectations. As the chair of this first Witches’ Night Out,  I am overwhelmed with the response of the numbers participating and donations that came from local businesses,” Mihelich said.  “It’s amazing to see women opening their purses to help other women.   We are looking forward to making this an annual event.”  The official final amount of the funds raised from the event will be announced at a later date and distributed to the charities by the United Way. 

Savant Multimedia, LLC, an advertising and social media management firm donated the event website, www.witchesnightout.com and a video of the event.

View the video on YouTube by clicking or cut-and-pasting this link into your computer browser:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pixAt5J1ZuU. To view the video and photos,

CLICK ON THESE TWO LINKS BELOW: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pixAt5J1ZuU 
http://animoto.com/play/6lgU5baGjqqJjTJw2OkE5Q?utm_content=main_link