Witches, Warlocks take to Ramsey Lake for annual fundraising paddle

Costumed paddlers made their way across Greater Sudbury's Ramsey Lake on Friday for the third annual Witches and Warlocks Paddle.

A coven of costumed paddlers gathered on Ramsey Lake in Greater Sudbury on Friday evening, trading broomsticks for kayaks and canoes in a spirited display of community support.

The event was the third annual Witches and Warlocks Paddle, organized by the Sudbury Canoe Club. Participants, many in Halloween attire, launched their non-motorized watercraft from the Northern Water Sports Centre for a journey to Science North and back.

Paddling for a purpose

The festive gathering served as a fundraiser for the Sudbury Food Bank. Organizers encouraged attendees to bring canned or other non-perishable food donations.

“We decided to team up with the food bank – especially with this significance of the scarcity of food this year,” said Kim Davis-Chiarot, the canoe club’s vice-commodore.

“I just wanted to end the year off well.”

Spooky send-off for the season

Following the paddle, the festivities continued on shore with Halloween treats, music and activities. The club provided a photo booth and DJ-style Halloween music for the participants.

“I threw in everything this year the photo booth, my DJ equipment, just the whole nine yards cause I wanted this community event to go out with a bang and everybody to have a great time,” Davis-Chiarot said, noting she had a personal stake in making the event successful.

“This year I had a shoulder injury, so I wasn’t able to get out on the lake as much as I wanted to.”

The event also served as a final hurrah for the local paddling season as the Northern Water Sports Centre will be removing its docks for the winter at the end of the month.

With files from CTVNorthernOntario.ca journalist Angela Gemmill