BY BRIANNA BENNETT | PHOTOS COURTESY OF ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Fifteen years after a handful of costumed cyclists first took to Atlantic Avenue, Witches of Delray has grown into a beloved October tradition—bringing together hundreds of riders, local businesses and the community in support of Achievement Centers for Children & Families.
On an October morning in Delray Beach, seeing a witch fly down Atlantic Avenue isn’t unusual. In fact, you’ll probably see hundreds of them.
Some arrive in elaborate costumes. Others coordinate themes with groups of friends. Their bicycles become “brooms,” decorated just as carefully as the witches riding them. And as they make their way through Downtown, spectators line the streets to cheer them on.
It’s a sight Stephanie Seibel, CEO of Achievement Centers for Children & Families, says still makes her think the same thing every year:
“Only in Delray.”
This October marks the 15th Annual BETR Project’s Witches of Delray Beach Bike Ride. Presented by Colony Hotel, the signature event in a month of Witches of Delray festivities benefiting Achievement Centers for Children & Families. What began 15 years ago with a handful of costumed cyclists riding a few blocks of Atlantic Avenue has grown into a morning that will bring approximately 300 witches to the streets of Downtown Delray.
For Seibel, its staying power comes from a combination that feels distinctly Delray. “It’s fun, it’s a little quirky, it brings people together, and underneath all of that is a meaningful purpose,” she said.
Long before ride day, the excitement is already building. Friends choose themes, coordinate costumes, and transform their bikes into “brooms,” turning the preparation itself into part of the tradition. For Seibel, that enthusiasm was one of the first signs that Witches of Delray had grown into something much bigger than an annual fundraiser.
“People were bringing their friends, planning costumes months in advance, decorating their bikes and making the Ride part of their annual traditions,” she said. “You started seeing generations of women participate together.”
But behind the costumes, cackles and decorated brooms is the reason the witches ride.
Achievement Centers for Children & Families provides programs and services for local children and families, including early learning, after-school, teen and summer programming as well as family support services. Today, the organization serves more than 700 children and families at three Delray Beach locations.
“The fun people see on Atlantic Avenue translates into very real opportunities for children and families,” Seibel said.
Those opportunities can take many forms: a child struggling academically who suddenly realizes, “I can do this,” a teenager meeting a mentor or visiting a college and beginning to imagine a different future, or a parent knowing their child is safe and supported while they work.
“Witches events help make all of that possible,” Seibel said. “Collectively, they can change the trajectory of a child’s life.”
This year’s witches will take flight at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, traveling a two-mile route through Downtown. The celebration continues with awards including Best Costume, Best Witch Cackle, Best Decorated Broom and Best Group Theme.
But the magic starts well before ride day. October’s lineup also includes Witches Night Out on Oct. 1, Witches Trivia Night on Oct. 7, and the 12th Annual Witches Brew on Oct. 16, giving the community several ways to join the festivities and support the cause.
For Seibel, reaching 15 years is particularly meaningful because the event’s evolution reflects the organization it supports. Witches of Delray began with a handful of women. Achievement Centers, she said, began with two teachers and 20 children. Both grew because people continued to believe in them.
And when hundreds of witches take over Atlantic Avenue once again, Seibel hopes people leave with more than a great costume photo.
“I hope people walk away feeling like they were part of something that is uniquely Delray—something fun, creative and memorable, but also connected to a much bigger purpose,” she said.
After 15 years, perhaps that’s the real magic of Witches of Delray: a community can have a little fun, get a little witchy and make a meaningful difference while doing it.
SAVE THE DATES
01 – WITCHES NIGHT OUT
07 – WITCHES TRIVIA NIGHT
16 – 12TH ANNUAL WITCHES BREW
24 – WITCHES OF DELRAY BEACH BIKE RIDE
8 a.m. | Downtown Delray | Two-mile route
