Local residents will organize a free Halloween gathering on October 31, 2025, at Leonardtown Wharf from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with dancing, a broom decorating contest and tarot readings, while collecting nonperishable food items for St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen in Great Mills.
The event, hosted by the Witches of Southern Maryland, welcomes participants of all ages to dress as witches or wizards for family-oriented activities. Free candy will be distributed to children, and Ann Loker will offer complimentary tarot readings. Attendees may bring decorated brooms to enter a contest, with a note that enchanted brooms could be disqualified. No admission fee is charged, but donations such as juice, condiment bottles, crackers and seasoning packets are requested to support the soup kitchen.
This is the third annual event for the group, composed of Southern Maryland residents who organize the gathering to encourage community ties during Halloween. Details for the 2025 event are available on Facebook by searching for Witches of Southern Maryland. Prior years have featured similar elements, including dancing and charitable collections, to promote interaction among locals in St. Mary’s County.
Leonardtown Wharf, positioned along Breton Bay at its junction with the Potomac River, hosts the activities. The public park includes a boardwalk, seating and views of the water, serving as a venue for community events. Managed by the Town of Leonardtown, the wharf displays historical markers outlining its past in waterfront trade during the 18th and 19th centuries. Its layout supports outdoor programs, aiding its role in local festivals.
The donations benefit St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen at 20331 Point Lookout Road in Great Mills. The facility provides free breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday to individuals in need. It accepts contributions like lunch meats, fruit cups, sliced cheese and peanut-free desserts to assist meal preparation. The soup kitchen relocated in 2021 and depends on community donations and volunteers to combat food insecurity in the area. Items can be delivered weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and monetary support is accepted via mail or online. In St. Mary’s County, it operates within a system of food assistance providers, including H.O.P.E. in Lexington Park, which distributes resources Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon.
The event connects to regional folklore, notably the legend of Moll Dyer, a 17th-century resident near present-day Leonardtown. Dyer, thought to be a healer, faced witchcraft accusations during a 1697 influenza outbreak and fled her burning home in the winter of 1698. Her frozen body was discovered days later, with one hand on a rock and the other raised skyward. The rock, now at the St. Mary’s County Governmental Center in Leonardtown under protection, shows faint imprints and draws visitors leaving offerings. Legend claims Dyer cursed the land and stone, leading to ailments for those who touch it. The tale has influenced works like the book “Sister Witch, The Life of Moll Dyer” by David W. Thompson, published October 31, 2017, and “Moll Dyer and Other Witch Tales of Southern Maryland” by Lynn J. Buonviri in 2019.
Leonardtown observes the legend with Moll Dyer Day on February 26, established by the mayor in 2021, and Moll Dyer Weekend from February 21 to 23, 2025, featuring tours, scavenger hunts and historical talks. The event emphasizes kindness, aligning with efforts to reflect on Dyer’s story 325 years later. Activities include a reception at Tudor Hall, a spirit hunt and a performance by mentalists The Evasons at The Rex Theatre. The rock relocated to Tudor Hall Manor in 2021 from the Old Jail Museum, where it resided for nearly 50 years. Such commemorations highlight Maryland’s witchcraft history, with recent moves to exonerate convicted individuals from centuries past.
The Witches of Southern Maryland gathering complements other Halloween events in the county, where groups host attractions incorporating local traditions. County tourism promotes fall programs to involve residents and visitors, reinforcing Leonardtown’s position as a cultural focal point. Volunteer-organized efforts like this event demonstrate community involvement in Southern Maryland, integrating entertainment with aid for social services. The soup kitchen’s need for donations reflects broader initiatives to address hunger through local drives during festivities.
St. Mary’s County maintains parks and sites for public access, with the wharf accommodating events from festivals to parades. As the third year, the gathering may incorporate additional features from regional legends or expand based on prior participation.
