Witches’ Fair brewing in Bacchus Marsh

KEEP an eye out for black cats and pentagons as Bacchus Marsh brews up a witches’ fair this weekend.

Happening indoors at the Bacchus Marsh Public Hall this Sunday 12 April from 10am to 3pm, the fair offers anyone interested the chance to explore an esoteric and curious mix of 40-plus stalls presenting all things related to current-day witchcraft.

The fair is the brainchild of craftswoman Michelle Richards and her partner, long-time practicing witch Guy Walter who, as Witches of Macedon, run multiple witches’ fairs throughout Victoria.

Richards said there’s plenty of demand for the fairs that bring together all manner of matter relating to the theme onto the one site, in this case under the one roof.

This Sunday will be the third time they’ve run the fair at Bacchus Marsh.

“It’s been amazingly well-received at Bacchus Marsh,” said Lancefield-based Richards.

She said bespoke craft and natural organic products ranging from balms to teas are very much part of the fair’s offerings alongside aspects traditionally associated with witchcraft like tarot readers, psychic mediums, witchwares ranging from cauldrons and candles to crystals, and specialist jewellery.

“I’m on the craft side and I’ll be bringing my craft along,” Richards said.

“My partner Guy Walter has been a practicing witch for many years and he reads the tarot.”

While Walter won’t be attending this Sunday’s fair, other practicing witches and tarot readers will be, Richards said.

“We also have jewellery, a lot of natural botanical remedies, a flash tattooist, occult books, psychic readings, pottery, clothing, food stalls, coffee.

“The flash tattoos only take about 15 minutes to half an hour to do. They’re a little bit smaller, so you can just come along and sit down and watch a tattoo being done.

“Everyone is welcome and it’s just a very inclusive, free event.”