Paddle boarders draw attention, raise funds at river
Paddle boarders draw attention, raise funds at river
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WARREN – What started as a spontaneous text message turned into a magical Halloween adventure on the Allegheny River.
It all began when Jen Dilks sent Pamela Hahn a link to a story about the standup paddle boarders (SUPers) dressing as witches and paddling along various rivers and lakes across the country, with the message, "Hey Pam, this looks like something you would do"!
The response? "Yes, yes, it is."
With a growing community of experience, paddle boards in Warren, the idea quickly took flight. The group planned an early Halloween morning paddle, hoping the mist rising from the river would create a mystical backdrop for the eerie yet magical arrival of the witches of Warren landing at the steps near Warren General Hospital.
Weeks before the event, participants surveyed the river route, identified shallow areas and potential obstacles and carefully monitored weather conditions and water levels to ensure a safe adventure.
The day before Halloween, one final group text went out, "We ride at dawn."
As the SUP witches approached their landing spot they were greeted by another raucous group of costumed performers: the Dancing Witches of the Northern Forest whose activities are overseen by Heather Johnson from Kane. Partnering with the Salvation Army, the witches continued their journey on foot through downtown Warren collecting donations for the Salvation Army soup kitchen, raising $148.