When the Witches Come to Town: Why We Stand With Witches On the Water
Every fall on Cape Cod, something wonderful happens out on the water. A whole crew of witches, capes flowing and pointed hats on tight, paddle out together on paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes. Families gather along the shore to watch. Kids wave and giggle. Cameras come out. And the whole thing is equal parts silly, beautiful, and genuinely good for our community.
That is Witches On the Water, and we think the world of them.
If you have never seen the Witches Paddle in person, put it on your list this fall. It is one of those rare Cape Cod traditions that makes you grin from ear to ear and tear up a little at the same time. It is incredible, and you should try to get there. You will not regret it.
A little whimsy with a whole lot of heart
Witches On the Water is a Cape Cod nonprofit, established as a 501(c)(3) in 2020, built on a simple and joyful idea. Dress up, paddle out, have fun, and raise real money for neighbors who need it. Since the beginning, the group has donated more than $145,000 to local causes.
What we love most is how they spread that generosity around. Witches On the Water chooses a different Cape Cod organization to support each year, so the good keeps moving from one corner of our community to the next. One year it lifts up one cause, the next year another. Over time, that adds up to a lot of families helped and a lot of hope shared.
This year, the witches are paddling for the Family Table Collaborative.
Meet this year's cause: the Family Table Collaborative
The Family Table Collaborative serves as Cape Cod's community kitchen. They provide healthy meals, food rescue programs, nutrition education, and steady support for individuals and families who are working through hard stretches. Through volunteers, partnerships, and creative food recovery, they are building a healthier and more resilient Cape Cod one meal, one family, and one community at a time.
It is exactly the kind of mission worth paddling for, and we are proud that this year's fundraiser is raising money for them.
Why a candy shop loves a group of paddling witches
People sometimes ask why a family candy shop spends so much time cheering on a costume paddle. The honest answer is that Witches On the Water feels like us.
They are full of whimsy and joy. They believe doing good and having fun belong in the same sentence. And they show up for this community, year after year, simply because they care. That is the kind of company we want to keep.
We have been a sponsor since the very beginning, at the Share the Magic level, and it is one of our favorite things we get to do all year. Our part is a happy one. We donate candy for every single one of their paddlers, because nobody should finish a paddle without something sweet. And we put together three gift baskets for them each year for their costume contests, which are always a hit.
We are a small family running a candy shop, not a big company with a big budget. But we believe a family business can still give back in a real way, and standing with Witches On the Water is one of the ways we try.
A children's book with a big heart
This year, Witches On the Water has something new and special: a children's book called Witches On the Water: Little Witches, Big Hearts. It is a beautifully illustrated storybook about a little witch and her dog, full of the same kindness and fun you feel at the paddle itself.
Here is the part we are most excited about. One hundred percent of the money from every book goes right back to Witches On the Water and the cause they are supporting. Buy a sweet little story for a child you love, and you are also helping feed families on Cape Cod. That is a pretty wonderful trade.
We are honored to carry Little Witches, Big Hearts at Stage Stop Candy year-round, both in our Dennis Port shop and online, so you can pick one up any time, whether or not you can make it in to see us.
The witches are coming to Customer Appreciation Day
Now for the fun part. On the Fourth of July, the witches are coming to us.
Customer Appreciation Day is Saturday, July 4th, at Stage Stop Candy in Dennis Port. Some of the Witches On the Water will be here in full witch regalia, capes, hats, and all, selling their new book in person. Come stop by and join in the fun and the magic. Enjoy the shop, take in the cases of handcrafted chocolates and fudge, and keep an eye out for the friendly witches.
It is family friendly, it is festive, and it is the perfect excuse to bring the kids by for photos with some very cheerful witches. Pick up a copy of the book while they are here, say hello, and help us send them off toward another wonderful season on the water.
How you can join in
There are a few easy ways to be part of all this magic.
Come see us in person. Stop by Stage Stop Candy in Dennis Port on the Fourth of July for Customer Appreciation Day, meet a couple of the Witches On the Water, and grab a copy of Witches On the Water: Little Witches, Big Hearts. If you miss them on the Fourth, no worries at all. We carry the book in the shop and online year-round, and every single copy supports the cause.
Cheer them on this fall. When Witches On the Water announces the date for this year's paddle, go watch. Bring a chair, bring the kids, and bring your camera. Watching a parade of witches glide across the water for a good reason is the kind of Cape Cod afternoon you do not forget.
Learn more and support their mission. You can find out more about Witches On the Water, follow along for this year's paddle details, and support their work at witchesonthewater.org.
We are just one small family shop, lucky enough to play a tiny part in something this big-hearted. Thank you for being the kind of community that shows up, paddles out, and takes care of one another. We cannot wait to celebrate with you, and with the witches, very soon.
