The Daily BuzzWitches of Salem lose out on attention during government shutdown
Some designs stand the test of time. These cauldron and pumpkin buckets have made the rounds on the trick-or-treat circuit for decades. They hold tons of Halloween loot and add a touch of spook to any witch costume.
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The U.S. government shutdown could be boiling anger beyond the world of the living: lost services are denying the witches of Salem, MA their annual show of attention during Halloween season.
The Associated Press reported Salem, the site of the 1692 witch trials that executed 20 people, has had to gather port-a-potties and volunteers to stage an annual series of spooky events for tourists after the shutdown closed its visitor centre and historic site.
Salem was cursed at the worst possible time of year, during its Haunted Happenings events, which draw $30 million in annual tourism dollars into the city, according to the Associated Press.
Tourists told the Associated Press they weren't pleased with having to use port-a-potties on vacation, but visiting Salem this October would be much worse without volunteers to share its frightening history.
Perhaps the ghosts of Salem's witches are already brewing up their revenge on those who detracted from their time in the spotlight, adding eyes of newt and toes of frog to their bubbling cauldrons.
Other earthly troubles have arisen from the shutdown, including a toilet paper shortage at the U.S. Air Force Academy, blood shortages in Washington, DC, and cut back food inspection services across the country.
