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Photos and Story By: Janel Spiegel
Happy Quarantine Halloween
Witch’s Ball at Gallows Hill Spirits Co. Event
2208 South 12th St.
Allentown, PA 18103
It was a brisk night in the Lehigh Valley. It was also a rare sighting for the Halloween Blue Moon (Hunter’s Moon). It made an appearance in the clear sky. Halloween originated with the Celtic Festival of Samhain. People would dress up in costumes to ward off ghosts but, this isn’t a history lesson. Although, it is fascinating. The usual Halloween parties, trick-or-treating, movies or going out and about amidst the mischief of Halloween wasn’t happening. It’s understandable and keeping people safe. However, Gallows Hill Spirits Co. hosted the Witch’s Ball. It was done safely, masks on, social distancing.
Gallows Hill Spirits Co. is owned by a descendant of “the soothsayer of Andover. A witch hanged in Salem in 1692.” Gallows Hill takes you back in time while introducing you to new spirits and new friends. Social distancing and masks were worn, (a lot of witch’s hats too.) People came out to listen to the Witch Trial Reading. It was energetic, fun and, theatrical. It was done outside and even with the mask on, you could see the happiness, the curiosity. Gallows Hill Spirits makes you feel as if you opened a door and walked through it and arrived in Salem. Witches hats, beautiful lighting, an AMAZING pumpkin carved by the talented, Jeff Donchez fb.me/JDPumpkinCarving
The atmosphere is vibrant and peaceful. The owner, Bob Piano is kind and courtesy. He answers questions, makes his way around to everyone. Back inside, they had singer/songwriter, Kendal Conrad who sang covers and an original song called, Stranger Things. I saw quite a few masked familiar faces and met some new masked friends.
The Witch Trial Reading was fascinating. Gallows Hill Spirits offers a tour in which Bob delivers all the history of his family. Samuel Wardwell was a “common carpenter with a penchant for predictions.” That cost Samuel his life. His open-minded ancestors turned a tragedy into a beautiful history lesson entwined with spirits and fun. To remember a man and all those in 1692 and on who may have been a little too curious. Now, the curious wind up at Gallows Hill Spirits Co.
Inside, Gallows Hill Spirits Co., everything is what you would expect if you were in Salem. The bar is decked out to match the original home from 1692. At around 9pm, the Witch Circle was formed outside under the full moon. So, if you saw a circle of socially distanced people standing in the parking lot, it was a Witch Circle. A peaceful event. Let’s say, some people may have gotten some peace involving our loved ones who are no longer here. Some of the Halloween themed drinks included the: Oogie Boogie, Blood Elixir, and Witch’s Heart. All beautifully made and so creative. Every single person working tonight was festive and happy.
Despite COVID-19 truly taking a toll on so many people and being the real horror movie of the year. Gallows Hill Spirits Co. kept everything light and filled with heart and the loving light of the full moon. It was really was just a “bunch of Hocus Pocus.”
https://gallowshillspirits.com/
https://twitter.com/GallowsHillSprt
https://www.facebook.com/GallowsHillSpirits
