Boneyfiddle’s newest shop, The Mystic Rose, is already casting a spell in the downtown, with a successful fall event under its belt: The Inaugural Witch Walk of 2023.

The event was held over the weekend with 60 people participating in a jaunt through the downtown dressed in witchy attire and more to celebrate the season.

The Mystic Rose recently made a move from Sciotoville, where it had been established three years prior. It is owned by Rev. Rose Ann Rosier and can now be found at 208 Market Street.

To celebrate her grand opening, a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce was held on Friday, October 13 to kick off the spooky season.

“Somehow, it didn’t seem like enough of an event to adequately express my sincere thanks to local pagans, loyal friends, family, clients and customers also called ‘Rosebuds’ that have made this ‘boo-tique’ such a resounding success.”

Patrons of the shop had recently been meeting monthly and Rosier said the walk stemmed from these meetings.

“I could not recall anyone ever offering a Witch Walk or parade to ring in the Halloween season, so we organized one,” Rosier explained. “We decided the event should be held of the full moon and be something to be done as a family!”

The route was created to walk the flood wall murals new pedestrian lane from Alexandria Park to the Market Street shop. While 60 showed up at the starting point, Rosier claimed that many joined along the way and she lost count.

Rosier’s judging panel awarded a $100 cash prize to the first place best dressed adult witch, which was won by Crystal Ball.

Also recognized were second place (Amber Ross) and third place (Brittany Meadows), who were awarded with store gift certificates and fourth and fifth place gifts went to Jamie Matthews and Krystal Fowler.

Rosier also gifted each walker with a silver witch hat charm to commemorate the event and candy was offered to all children in attendance.

“The crowd agreed, it was such a wonderful experience, from meeting new and old Pagan friends to the circling turkey vultures that took flight when we started and followed us the entire trip,” Rosier said.

The event will be annual, based on interest, and planning for next year is already underway.

Rosier has been a nondenominational ordained minister, registered with the State of Ohio since 1998, and studies as many religions and cultures as her strained schedule allows.

The new shop address was chosen due to the proximity to the future Market Street Park and Boneyfiddle Antique districts growth and expansion, hoping to garner more foot traffic than the previous location. The shop is open 12-6 p.m. daily but is closed Sundays and Wednesdays.

Reach Joseph Pratt at (740) 353-3101, by email at [email protected], © 2023 Portsmouth Daily Times, all rights reserved.