Jefferson
has a rich historical tradition of celebrating Halloween with music,
family fun, and witch burning. Between 1910 and 1980, residents used the
holiday to burn over 400 witches at the stake (at least two per year).
The festivities culminated in 1980, with the burning of nine witches on
the courthouse square. The final witch burned was overheard threatening
to "curse Jefferson with famine for thirty years". The executioner
laughingly told her to "knock yourself out".Unfortunately, in recent years, Halloween events have become almost nonexistent. In fact, the witch-burning ceremonies which once drew such large crowds have been cancelled the last thirty years (due to famine). On the up side, it looks like things are on again this year. Four witches have been carefully selected to be burned at the stake at 8:00PM, as usual. Townsfolk have been especially vigilant in making their selections ever since the executioner was accidentally identified as a witch and burned in 1955.
As usual, kids under twelve will be admitted free. There will once again be carnival rides and live music. On a side note, trick-or-treating has been cancelled for the 27th year in a row, as Halloween is officially considered a Satanic holiday by the city of Jefferson.
Rick Bland, 10-13-2011