For immediate release

September 23, 2013

Local, world-renowned folk artist creates painting for WitchFest
WitchFest at historic Gardner Village runs through Oct. 31

(West Jordan, UT) – If you come to historic Gardner Village in October, you’re in for a real treat! And maybe a few tricks as well as the witches come out to play during the annual WitchFest in West Jordan, Utah.

The menace is intentional each year as crews begin working on Witch Fest, Gardner Village’s 45- day celebration of everything witch, complete with witch displays and a scavenger hunt to find them, Breakfast with a Witch, Witchapalooza Music Dinner Theater, the new Witches Brew Ha! Ha! 5K Fun/Run Walk, and the popular Witches Night Out, which is currently in its 13th year.

“Witches’ Night Out draws thousands of would-be witches to the Village each year,” Joe Long, CEO of Gardner Village, said. “They come wearing elaborate costumes and pointy hats, ready to shop, eat, play and have a lot of witchy fun.”

With the ambiance and charm of an early Utah village, the brick-lined paths surrounding the historic Gardner flour mill are the perfect backdrop for the whimsical witch displays that adorn the property during WitchFest. One green-faced beauty sits on a shop roof trying to get cell phone reception on her “eye” phone. Overhead the Wicked Witch of the West furiously pedals her bike. And don’t miss the poor old witch who didn’t see what was coming while flying. She’s smashed up against the flour mill silo like a bug on a windshield.

This year world-renowned folk artist, Eric Dowdle, created a painting for WitchFest that has been turned into puzzles and prints that are sold nationwide at Costco, Sam’s Club and Walmart and at Gardner Village. Dowdle’s art also joins 30,000 pounds of pumpkins, 20,000 pounds of straw and 500 bunches of cornstalks that decorate the grounds during WitchFest and can also be found on light poles around the city.

“Gardner Village is a unique destination that brings visitors to our city every day,” West Jordan Mayor Melissa Johnson said. “Especially during WitchFest, people come from California, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and even Oregon to be part of the fun. The Village showcases an important part of West Jordan history.”

Gardner Village features 22 retail specialty shops surrounding the historic Gardner Mill, now listed on the National Historic Register. The old flour mill is home to Archibald’s Restaurant and Country Furniture & Gifts. Vintage pioneer architecture, antique fixtures, red brick paths and bridges add to the atmosphere that takes you back to a simpler time and spotlight the area’s colorful history.

Gardner Village is located at 1100 West 7800 South in West Jordan, Utah. For more information, contact Marcia Johns at 801-566-8903, visit www.gardnervillage.com or follow us on Facebook.com/gardnervillage.