The annual Greensburg Witches Gala, set for 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 along South Pennsylvania Avenue, is promising visitors a spellbinding evening.

“We have a lot in store, and it keeps getting bigger and better each year,” said Amy Beeghly, president of the Greensburg Business & Professional Association, or Shop Greensburg.

The evening will celebrate fall and bring together vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, family activities, paranormal experiences and even a witch cackling contest.

“Last year, the (Greensburg Hempfield Area) library did a haunted house, which was a smashing success. They were busy the entire night,” Beeghly said. “We’ve had more people participating in our costume contest, and last year we added the cackling contest, which was a lot of fun.”

The centerpiece of the event is a choreographed performance by the Dancing Witches of Westmoreland group.

“I really love watching people reacting to the dance, that’s probably my favorite part,” Beeghly said. “It’s really entertaining not just watching the dance, but seeing people’s response.”

Event organizers also expanded on the Haunted History tour they began last year, bringing actors from Westmoreland
Performing Arts to help bring local tales and spooky legends to life.

“The WPA’s Little Monsters group also does a couple of performances on our
3Natives stage, behind 3Natives Acai Cafe,” Beeghly said.

Event organizers are also still seeking volunteers. Those interested can find more information at ShopGreensburgPA.com by clicking on the “Volunteer Opportunities” link under the “Participate” menu.

Here is the evening’s event schedule:

• On the main stage, in the Moore & Becker parking lot, the following performances will take place: HiDef Band at 5, 7 and 8:30 p.m.; Westmoreland Performing Arts “Good Vibrations” at 5 p.m. and “Rocky Horror Cast” at 7:45 p.m.; Dancing Witches of Westmoreland at 6:30 p.m. Contest and raffle winners will be announced at 8 p.m.

• Westmoreland Performing Arts Little Monsters will perform “Big Halloween Adventure” at 5:15 and 7:45 p.m. on the 3Natives stage.

• The library steps will be home base for the event contests, with registration starting at 5 p.m., followed by the best witch hat contest at 7 p.m., a Stage Right performance at 7:15 p.m., the best costume contest at
7:30 p.m. and the best cackle contest at 8 p.m.

• Throughout the evening, there will be a children’s Halloween corner next to the library, paranormal displays inside the library from the Greensburg Ghost Society, vendors at The Enchanted Bazaar along South Pennsylvania Avenue, and basket raffles and games of chance at the Luck Cauldron in the Moore & Becker parking lot.