Family, friends and locals gathered at Dairy Barn Arts Center Sunday night for a witchy celebration. Located on 8000 Dairy Lane, the Dairy Barn has been a cornerstone of Athens' history for well over a century.
Rachel Clark, the education director at the Dairy Barn, said the center welcomes everyone.
“The Dairy Barn is a cultural art center that is probably most famous for its Quilt National show that happens every other year,” Clark said. “We serve the community of all ages and abilities … we work with other non-profits and the Ohio Arts Council to make things more accessible and inclusive.”
Sunday’s Witch Walk guided participants down a lantern-lit path, transforming the Ora Anderson Trail into an enchanting pathway. The program strived to “empower youth” and “build multigenerational” connections. Artists, students, performers and local businesses were invited to set up along the trail, adding to the fall festivities.
Starting at 5:30 p.m., the Dairy Barn’s parking lot quickly filled up with cars and attendees took to the path. The Witch Walk wrapped up around 8:30 p.m.
Clark organized the Witch Walk and said she looked forward to showcasing children's artwork.
“The highlight of the show is the 13 children, I would say tween and teen kids, who over the past five weeks have put together some really fun art installations and kind of sculptural spooky stuff,” Clark said.
Although this was the first Witch Walk, the idea itself wasn’t entirely new.
Kasey Jones, professor of art at both Ohio University and Columbus College of Art & Design, pitched the idea to the Dairy Barn, inspired by a childhood tradition.
“I participated in something very similar while I was growing up in my hometown,” Jones said. “It was definitely my vision that I proposed to the Dairy Barn because I know that they had the Ora Anderson Trail right behind the facility and I thought it would be a really great way to build community.”
The Witch Walk offered Athens locals an alternative, family-friendly option to the block party hosted by the city every Halloween.
“The goal is to create a family-friendly event intended to spark joy and curiosity, and awe for the families, primarily the youth in our community, so they just have a fun event to be a part of,” Jones said.
Hot apple cider, cinnamon donuts and more greeted attendees as they walked along the spooky art trail. Clark said the event was free thanks to multiple different partners.
“The Magic Martha Fund is an endowment we have throughout the year that helps us pay for classes and materials,” Clark said. “The Hocking Valley Bank is helping pay for our event, and Kroger is donating food for our event. Rural Action is donating pumpkins.”
Brandon Cottrill, vice president of lending at the Vinton County National Bank, attended the event with his daughters. Cottrill said the family decided to come to the Witch Walk because his youngest daughter is very interested in art; he also said events like these are special.
“I’ll use my daughter as an example; this is a good outlet for her,” Cottrill said. “I come from a very rural area, more so than here, and these types of opportunities weren’t available, so that’s very important that the children have that, and even older kids.”
Cottrill said the Dairy Barn was an ideal spot for an interactive event like the Witch Walk.
“There’s a lot of open space, the barn itself is amazing and historic,” he said. “The galleries are really nice, the people who run it are amazingly oriented toward children and the arts. I was telling my wife earlier, as soon as we show up, everybody’s excited to see my daughter. They’re happy she’s here. They’re very welcoming and just make it a great place.”
As the Ora Anderson Trail gleamed and lanterns, artwork and music filled the pathway, a mystical night was underway.
“I walked up with my daughter to help set up her installation,“ Cottrill said. “Seeing the amazing stuff and the amount of artistic talent that’s being given to the place to shine like this (is incredible)."
