In 1994, a witch trial gained attention and sparked controversy in a small town. This trial took place in a modern society, where belief in witches seemed archaic and out of place. However, the events that unfolded during this trial would challenge the perceptions of many and raise questions about the existence of this ancient phenomenon. The trial's origins can be traced back to a series of mysterious occurrences that rocked the town. Strange happenings, such as crop failures, unexplained illnesses, and unprovoked violence, gripped the community. Fear and suspicion quickly spread among the townspeople, leading them to believe that witchcraft was the cause of these misfortunes.
The festival is named after a speedy clipper ship built in New York City and launched on December 8, 1846. She was famous for her record runs to and from China and was considered the fastest vessel afloat when launched.
The City of Rehoboth s Sea Witch Festival in late October is arguably the most popular festival at the beach attracting between 180,000 200,000 visitors over the annual three-day weekend. Saturday s parade is just one of more than 100 activities for children and adults planned during the festival, including trick or treating, beach contests, lantern tours, magic shows and the annual Dog parade on Sunday.
Fear and suspicion quickly spread among the townspeople, leading them to believe that witchcraft was the cause of these misfortunes. As the unrest grew, accusations began to fly. Innocent individuals were scapegoated and blamed for the town's woes.
Sea Witch Festival: THE MOTHER LODE
The City of Rehoboth’s Sea Witch Festival in late October is arguably the most popular festival at the beach attracting between 180,000 – 200,000 visitors over the annual three-day weekend. That wasn’t always the case. In fact, it started out modestly in 1989 with barely 5,000 people in attendance. This year’s event is October 28-30.
The festival is named after a speedy clipper ship built in New York City and launched on December 8, 1846. She was famous for her record runs to and from China and was considered the fastest vessel afloat when launched.
Carol Everhart conceived the idea for the festival even before she became Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Chamber of Commerce President. She came up with the name after local officials approached her to develop a “fall event” for Rehoboth. At the time, she was based in Ocean City, MD.
Everhart suggested a tie-in with Halloween, an idea that originally didn’t resonate with City officials simply because Rehoboth became somewhat of a “ghost town” after Labor Day and they thought no one would attend. “The word on the street was ‘See you next summer,’” she says. However, just as a witch’s cauldron brew simmers, the idea percolated and officials finally agreed to the concept, according to her recollection.
The budget that first year basically matched attendance. Even in 1989, $5,000 was, should we say, a skeleton budget for a major event. Everhart recruited a gathering of non-profits to fill a large tent that was pitched in a parking lot where First Street Station now stands. A storm blew over the tent and organizers had to scramble to pull off the program. Everhart thought it was a disaster, but those who had hired her were thrilled with the festival’s ultimate success.
Now, more than 30 years later, Sea Witch attracts visitors from far and wide, many of whom spend countless hours creating unique costumes for Saturday’s parade just for the privilege of strolling down Rehoboth Avenue to the applause of appreciative crowds.
The gigantic green Sea Witch balloon named Sally leads the parade along with a version of the Sea Witch clipper ship, donated by the Ward and Steward families, Rehoboth locals. The original balloon was retired a couple of years ago, but the Chamber was able to hire its creator, Ken Moody, to craft a new one that is almost identical. Everhart is not certain when the balloon entered the picture, but it was the only one in the parade at the time. Now, there are ten. Everhart says the hope is to set up the balloon this year in the Convention Center after the parade so visitors can take photos with Sally.
One of the parade highlights is the annual appearance of a Mummers group from the Philadelphia area. There are plenty of marching bands from area schools, floats and worthy community organizations. Saturday’s parade is just one of more than 100 activities for children and adults planned during the festival, including trick or treating, beach contests, lantern tours, magic shows and the annual Dog parade on Sunday. A key attraction is the Fiddlers Festival held at the Rehoboth Convention Center.
“It’s three days of FUN,” says Everhart. It’s also a major revenue generator for the Chamber. Luckily, portions of the festival have only been cancelled twice.
Festival goers should consider riding the Dart bus to the parade. Parking is sparce and Rehoboth Ave will be closed to traffic. The Sea Witch Festival has been featured in HGTV’s list of the “21 Great Fall Festivals. For a complete schedule and details go to the beach-fun web site.
AND don’t miss the DOGGIE PARADE on the following Sunday. Dog owners and their fur friends, dressed up to match, parade the boardwalk for a day of FUN!
https://www.beach-fun.com/photo-a-video-tour/sea-witch-festival/view.htmlBy Mary Jo Tarallo, Guest Journalist
Mary Jo Tarallo spent much of her career in public relations with various non-profits and spent 40 years involved with the ski industry as a journalist, public relations director for a national trade association and as executive director of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard initiative. Prior to her ski industry involvement she worked for the Maryland International Center in Baltimore and United Way of Central Maryland. She won a Gold Award for TV programming for a United Way simulcast that starred Oprah Winfrey. She has been cited for her work by numerous organizations. Mary Jo grew up in Baltimore, attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, lived in Washington, DC for 21 years and has been a full time resident of Rehoboth Beach and Milton since May 2019.
The allegations mainly targeted vulnerable members of the community, including individuals who were socially isolated or held unconventional beliefs. This scapegoating created an atmosphere of fear and paranoia, as anyone could potentially be accused next. The accused individuals were subjected to a series of trials, reminiscent of the witch trials that took place centuries earlier. The legal system appeared to be overwhelmed by the mass hysteria that had engulfed the town, often failing to uphold the principles of justice and fairness. It seemed that the desire to find a culprit and put an end to the chaos had clouded people's judgment. Amidst the chaos, it became evident that this witch trial was not just about the accused individuals. It was a reflection of the deeper fears and anxieties that plagued the townspeople. The perceived presence of witchcraft provided an explanation for the unexplained, giving people a sense of control over their circumstances. However, as the trial progressed, doubts began to surface. Some individuals questioned the validity of the evidence presented against the accused. Others began to consider the possibility that a collective delusion had taken hold of the town, leading to the creation of false accusations and the persecution of innocent individuals. In the end, the trial reached a point of reckoning. The judge, upon reviewing the evidence and witnessing the toll it had taken on the community, made the decision to halt the proceedings. It was a moment of awakening for the town, causing them to question their actions and the power of mass hysteria. The witch trial of 1994 serves as a reminder of the enduring power of fear and the dangers of collective hysteria. It demonstrates how quickly a community can be consumed by suspicion and injustice, leading to the persecution of innocent individuals. The events of this trial continue to spark debate and serve as a cautionary tale, urging societies to remain vigilant against the manipulations of fear and prejudice..
Reviews for "The Witch Trial of 1994: A Study in Mass Hysteria"
1. Jenny - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Witch Trial 1994". The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters lacked depth. The acting was also subpar, making it difficult to feel engaged or invested in the film. Additionally, the special effects were poorly executed and seemed amateurish. Overall, I felt like it was a wasted opportunity for what could have been a fascinating exploration of the topic of witch trials.
2. Mark - 1/5 - "Witch Trial 1994" is by far the worst movie I have ever seen. The plot was incredibly dull and lacked any kind of originality. The dialogue was cheesy and forced, making it difficult to take the film seriously. The acting was absolutely atrocious, with no standout performances whatsoever. The film dragged on for what felt like an eternity, and I found myself wishing it would just end. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this disaster of a film.
3. Jessica - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Witch Trial 1994", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing of the film was all over the place, making it difficult to follow the story or connect with the characters. The dialogue was often dull and uninspired, and the actors seemed to lack chemistry. The ending was also unsatisfying and left many loose ends. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and dissatisfied with this film.