Advanced publicity beckoning witches, wise folk and the curious from New England and beyond attracted crowds on Oct. 23 to DoubleTree by Hilton in Nashua to “Celebrate Samhain,” a 16th annual regional presentation of an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter.

“This event dispels the traditional view of witches,” said Kevin Sartoris, event coordinator. “Witches are very much in tune with nature and the seasons in a pre-Christian, Earth-centric way.”

Solicited donations to a local food pantry were gifts from arrivals. Sartoris added that the celebration of Samhain (sah-win — summer’s end) is rooted in medieval history. The completion of the gathering of crops for the winter and the recognition of the impending dark is a part of the mystique, along with the honoring of ancestors.

Presentations by seven pagan authors, 26 vendor booths and psychic readings by six intuitives were highlighted. Kevin Wright, of Gallows Hill Witchery in Salem, Massachusetts, had brisk sales of silver jewelry including some to Jane Buckingham, a visitor from Kentucky. Ritual cloaks, magic wands, spell candles and other supplies of the Craft found new homes.

A flash dance from members of The Company of Witches and Jenna Greene & Band entertained. Keene’s Michael Longrider, a renowned woodcarver and multi-award-winning maker of replicated Native American flutes, played traditionals and originals.

Meanwhile, a 25-pound purple amethyst studded with calcite crystals from Brazil was among the wares of healing stones, minerals and fossils showcased by reps from Diamonds And Dinosaurs, a Facebook fave.

Michelle Girourd, representing Rose of the Woods in Lebanon, rated the event five-stars as a fine gathering of artists, friends, witchy practitioners and families sharing common interests.

“People came from all over,” Girourd said. “It was exciting to be back together as a community.”

More information on “New England’s Premier Samhain Festival” can be had on Facebook at NHSamhain or online: celebratesamhain.com.

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