Witches

on the Water

Paddling for Pets

Location

Parking available on-site

Kayak Starved Rock Campground
1170 N. 27th Road Ottawa, IL 61350

Witches on the Water

Paddling for Pets

Admission

BYOB event entry

$49 per person

Bring your own boat(kayak, canoe, paddleboard & PFD(life jacket)(no inflatable kayaks)

Single Kayak Rental entry

$79 per person

One Half of a Tandem(2person) Kayak rental entry

$59 per person

Witches Event(NonPaddling)

$30 per person

Date & Time

September 20th, 2025

10AM

Dress Code

Your most magical & mystical Witchy or Warlock wear

Prizes: best costume, best boats, best witches cackle) scavenger hunt, & more giveaways!

Witches Paddle & Camp(optional)

Come paddle with your friendly Coven

Group of costumed witches holding a banner at the Witches on the Water event, celebrating kayaking in Starved Rock, surrounded by kayaks and scenic water.

12PM

Witches Paddle

Enjoy the beautiful Starved Rock area!

Paddle through a Lotus flower field and past towering Saint Peter’s Sandstone Bluffs with your friendly coven

Group of women in witch costumes and hats gathered by the water, with kayaks in the background, participating in the 'Witches on the Water' event at Starved Rock.

Costume Contest & more

Prizes

best costume, best decorated boat, best witches cackle) scavenger hunt, & more giveaways!

Halloween-themed treats including lollipops and cookies decorated with spooky designs like spiders, bats, and the word "BOO!" arranged on a decorative plate, perfect for the Witches on the Water event.

2Pm

Delicious & Spooktacular Food

Lunch served to feast upon as you arrive back at camp

Zombie dolls with curly black hair and eerie facial features, featuring dramatic makeup and lace collars, fitting the spooky theme of the 'Witches on the Water' event.

3PM

Music Dancing & More

music, photobooth, mingling, dancing and stay for camping(optional)

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Three women dressed as witches in green shirts with "Thurston Witches" text, wearing black hats and capes, smiling at the Witches on the Water kayaking event.

3rd Annual

Witches on the Water

Paddling for Pets benefiting local animal shelter/rescues. Grab your broomsticks (or paddles) and get ready to paddle for a purrrrrect cause. Dress up as your favorite witch and enjoy a day on the water while supporting our furry friends.

Itinerary

 

10am-11:30am Check In and decorate your boat

11:45a Group Pictures

12pm Spooky Guided Kayak Tour(or just paddle around our cove or stay back on the beach for a beautiful view of the Starved Rock country area)

2pm Light meal, music, photobooth, mingling, dancing, RAFFLES(bigger and better!!) Let’s fill up the cauldron! Don’t forget to bring a pet supply donation ( pet food
or treats not expired, torn or opened, toys, litter are good options) & be entered into a raffle drawing for
fantastic prize!

CONTESTS

Best Costume

Best Decorated Boat

Best Witches Cackle

& NEW this year Best Group(up to 6ppl)

also don’t miss our scavenger hunt & MORE GIVEAWAYS!

Stay as long or as little as you’d like , we appreciate you attending !

Anyone wishing to keep the party going or start the party early(Fri night) can book camping online

Thank you for changing the lives of pets

As a reminder this is a PFD(life jacket) mandatory event. You must wear a life jacket at all times when on the water. Also alcohol/intoxicating substances are not allowed to be carried or consumed while on the water.

*Please note all sales are final. this is a rain or shine event and there is no reschedule date. if there is severe weather to cause cancellation to this event the balance will be donated

Witches gathering by colorful kayaks at 'Witches on the Water' event, holding a banner that reads "What up, witches?" amidst a vibrant outdoor setting.

witches event

NonPaddling

$30

Want to join our coven but don’t want to paddle? No Problem join us for all of the festivities on land This option DOES NOT include the Guided Kayak tour or Boat decorating contest

Includes:

lunch, festivities(except paddling) and prizes(except boat decorating)(pricing is per person)

Witches gathering by colorful kayaks at 'Witches on the Water' event, holding a banner that reads "What up, witches?" amidst a vibrant outdoor setting.

bring your own boat

BYOB

$49

Have your own kayak, canoe or paddleboard come join us. Price is per person so the more the merrier as we make one memorable day on water and land

Includes:

Witches Paddle(bringing your own boat), lunch, festivities and prizes(pricing is per person)

Crowd of participants at the 'Witches on the Water' event by Kayak Starved Rock, with colorful kayaks lined up along the shore and people preparing for festivities on land and water.

single kayak rental(11AM-2PM

Single Kayak

$79

Elevate your experience with a single kayak! Enjoy the Witches on the Water paddle in style with one of our high end kayak rentals and paddle in style

Includes:

Witches Paddle(single kayak rental), lunch, festivities and prizes(pricing is per person)

Kayakers paddling through a scenic waterway surrounded by lily pads, participating in the Witches on the Water event organized by Kayak Starved Rock.

Tandem kayak rental

Tandem Kayak

$59

Elevate your experience with a  tandem kayak! This option includes one seat in a two seat kayak(must have a partner purchasing the other half)  Enjoy the Witches on the Water paddle in style with one of our high end kayak rentals and paddle in style

Includes:

Witches Paddle(one half of a tandem(2person) kayak rental), lunch, festivities and prizes(pricing is per person)

Searching Availability...

Come Join our Coven for a Fun Filled Day

Come join in on the fun with many friendly witches and warlocks from all over the Midwest as we embark on a Witches Paddle & more for a great Cause

Three women in costume with doll, featuring spooky makeup and themed outfits for Halloween festivities, embodying the fun and playful spirit of the Witches on the Water event at Kayak Starved Rock.

Scenic Guided Tour

Paddle Starved Rock area

Tandem kayak rental promotion for the 'Witches on the Water' event, featuring a scenic paddle with costumes and festivities in support of local animal shelters.

Support our Furry Friends

Pets need our help

Colorful illuminated Halloween pumpkins with various faces, set in a festive outdoor environment, enhancing the Witches on the Water kayaking event atmosphere.

Fun Contests

More Fun and Prizes

Colorful skull mask with intricate designs and glowing blue eyes, worn by a figure in a black suit, embodying a festive Halloween or Day of the Dead theme, relevant to the Witches on the Water kayaking event promoting fun and costume participation.

Raffle Prizes

Bring a donation

Colorful skull mask with intricate designs and glowing blue eyes, worn by a figure in a black suit, embodying a festive Halloween or Day of the Dead theme, relevant to the Witches on the Water kayaking event promoting fun and costume participation.

Delicious Lunch

Witches need to nourish too

Woman with skeleton face paint and floral headdress, embodying a witchy theme for a Halloween kayaking event, celebrating 'Witches on the Water' with costumes and festivities.

Mystic Melodies

Music and dancing Fun!

Costumed figure resembling a skeleton holding a large skull, surrounded by purple smoke, celebrating Halloween-themed festivities for 'Witches on the Water' event at Kayak Starved Rock.

Scavenger Hunt

Join in on the Adventure

Three women wearing decorative masks and elegant attire, celebrating at a festive event, embodying the spirit of a themed costume party.

Costume Fun

Wear your best Witchy or Warlock gear