Tips & Rules

Witches Ride of Ocean Springs

Tips for Witches:

 

  • Bring LOTS of throws for young & old alike! Though the route is just over 0.6 miles, there will be a LOT of people there (in 2023 there were over 5,000 spectators! Try to remember there are families all along the route and try to save some goodies for families at the end! 
  • Registered participants are invited to walk, ride on a bicycle/tricycle. There are also 50 separate golf cart registrations available this year!
  • For any witches using “broom”cycles or carts, we suggest straps for your hats so they will stay in place! Also, check your costumes to make sure nothing will get caught in the spokes of your “broom”cycle spokes or cart tires!
  • Arrive Early! Check-in will look different this year, and parking space is limited downtown with so many people in attendance! We suggest that you arrive early to park, unload, then check-in early at The Gathering for the camaraderie and to see all the creativity of the other witches and wizards!

Rules for the Ride:

 

  • This is foremost a fundraiser for local animals and the Witches Ride is proudly a family- friendly event that is free to spectators. Please plan accordingly for your costumes and decorations!
  • Please help us be good neighbors to the city of Ocean Springs and its workers: *NO HARD CANDY IS ALLOWED* per City of Ocean Springs rules. Please help keep our streets clean!
  • All registered participants must wear an official Witches Ride wristband, which will be included with their registration and will be picked up during check-in at “The Gathering” on Oct 26th from 2:30PM-5PM.
  • This year, each type of participant will be grouped together by type, in the following order: golf carts, then tricycles/bicycles and lastly walkers. For safety, walkers will not be able to walk next to golf carts or bicycles, they each must stay in their own group.
  • WITCHES FLY! Witches must keep moving along the route, as the roads need to reopen quickly. Witches who stop along the route may be left behind and asked to step off of the route. Please note: All walkers must be able to keep a steady walking pace.
  • Due to safety limitations, the Witches Ride only allows walkers, those riding bicycles and tricycles, and those riding in golf carts. Witches are not permitted to use scooters, one-wheels, motorized scooters, homemade floats or skateboards and riders in/on wagons are not allowed. For witches with mobility concerns, you are welcome to use a manual or power wheelchair or scooter, or a manually-powered mobility aid such as a walker, crutches, or cane.
  • 2024 Participants agree to this year’s Liability Waiver

Golf Cart Info & Rules:

  • Golf cart registrations are available first come first served, and registrations go on sale Friday, August 30th at 9PM. Based on last year, they will likely sell out quickly.
  • The driver and all occupants MUST be registered separately as Witches Ride participants.
  • PLEASE NOTE: This registration is for a golf cart only! All drivers/passengers/riders in the golf cart MUST purchase Witches Ride Participant registrations separately from this Golf Cart registration. They must also wear their Participant wristband, and all participants MUST be 18+ .
  • We would like to treat golf carts like parade floats, and we would like you to be a part of the festivities by decorating your golf cart! The bigger and more elaborate the decorations, the more joy it will bring and a better chance at being the winner of Best Cart!
  • Each registered Golf Cart will receive 1 temporary window decal to display on their windshield in order to participate.
  • This year, each type of participant will be grouped together by type, in the following order: golf carts, then tricycles/bicycles and lastly walkers. For safety, walkers will not be able to walk next to golf carts or bicycles, they each must stay in their own group.
  • Golf carts must have current and up to date liability insurance, and provide a copy to the Witches Ride no later than October 18th or they will not be allowed to participate on a golf cart. We will contact you (at the above contact email) after registration for the needed documentation.
  • Golf carts must be legally registered/permitted for use with the city of Ocean Springs.
  • Drivers must have a valid license to operate motorized vehicles.
  • Drivers are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages while participating in the Witches Ride of Ocean Springs.
  • The number of riders must not exceed the number of safety belts on the golf cart.
  • Rules of the road must be observed while on the ride route such as seat belts, proper following distance, speed limit, etc.
  • No pets are allowed on golf carts.
  • By registering, you agree to the 2024 Golf Cart Waiver.

The Witches Ride of Ocean Springs started flying in 2018, with the goal of helping better the lives of animals by donating the ride’s proceeds to local animal welfare organizations! In 2019, Witches Ride of Ocean Springs became an official 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization registered with the state of Mississippi. And we’re so proud to say that say that since the start of our ride we’ve donated over $63,000 to local animal welfare groups and agencies! Find out more about the agencies we’ve helped by clicking here

(601) 345-4089

info@oswitchesride.com

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