Free admission
to
the public
August
10&11
Connecticut
Witch Trials
Festival
Vendors,
Special Guests, Authors
and Much More!
Historic Pratt Street
Downtown Hartford
Connecticut
Witch Trials
Festival
The event celebrates them being exonerated in 2023 (which is why this wasn’t done prior) - and also honors the “witches” themselves - with the utmost respect and due regard. It is also presented to raise further awareness of the trials that happened in Connecticut, and the history. Connecticut House Joint Resolution 34, RESOLUTION CONCERNING CERTAIN WITCHCRAFT CONVICTIONS IN COLONIAL CONNECTICUT, was adopted by the House of Representatives on May 10, 2023 by a vote of 121 to 30 and was then adopted by the Senate by a margin of 33 to 1 on May 25, 2023. This bipartisan resolution absolved the innocent victims of the witch trials and apologized to their descendants.
Guest Speakers
Catherine Nadal
CATHERINE NADAL is a witch. She is a Reverend in Our Lord and Lady of the Trinacrian Church in Salem, MA. founded by Italian Strega Rev. Lori Bruno. Catherine worked as a psychic medium in Salem and has been a certified psychic medium with the Forever Family Foundation since 2013. She realized her psychic abilities at age nine. Over the years, she has collaborated with a number of psychic investigators, and explored many haunted locations, including ones in Connecticut. Catherine is the author of two books, “And She Danced by the Light of The Moon” and “Seeing More Than Clouds in Your Coffee.” She has been a guest on “Coast to Coast with George Noory” and “Signs of Life Radio.” In December 2023, she began to host a weekly radio show in Tampa, FL called “Bringing the Darkness to The Light.” Catherine runs her company, “Dream Central Station, LLC” and resides in Westchester County, NY.
Dr. Richard Ross
DR. RICHARD S. ROSS III is Professor Emeritus and former College Librarian at Trinity College, Hartford, CT. His book “Before Salem: Witch Hunting in the Connecticut River Valley 1647-1663” was released in 2017 by McFarland Publishing. He has a forthcoming book due titled "American Body Snatchers Merchandising the Dead
in Nineteenth Century New England and Washington D.C.” (2024), also from McFarland Publishing. His books have reached an international audience of scholars and readers. They are held in research and national libraries throughout the globe.
The August 10, 2024 talk will be entitled "The Hartford Witch Panic 1662-1663."
The August 11, 2024 talk will be entitled "The Witch in Old Connecticut: Righting a Troubled Legacy."
Lori Bruno
REV. LORI BRUNO is a Hereditary High Priestess and Elder of the Sicilian Strega line of the Craft of the Wise, founder and Head Mother of Our Lord and Lady of the Trinacrian Rose Church, Inc. The church was founded in 1993 and is based in Salem, Massachusetts.
Lori also founded the Sacred Paths Alliance Network (SPAN) charitable efforts organization, and the Protective Order of Witches and Earth Religions (POWER) in 1995 for religious freedoms. When asked about the meaning of “Witchcraft,” Lori took the very word WITCH and said the following: W is for Wisdom, I is for Integrity, T is for Truth, C is for Courage and H is for Honor. Lori was taught that Priests and Priestess should respect humanity, all living creatures, and above all, one’s self as the Goddess and God abide within. In 1996, Governor Michael Dukakis presented Lori with an award for the “Protection of the Children of the Commonwealth,” which hangs proudly next to her at her shop, Magika. Lori is world renowned, loved by many, and respected throughout her community. To Craft members and non-Crafters, she is affectionately known as “Strega Nona” or “Grandmother Witch.”
Guest Speakers
F.R.Rivers
Rande Goodwin
F.R. RIVERS is a Connecticut author whose books to date have not directly dealt with witchcraft, but his third book will. It a deep dive into the world of witchcraft/occult with an unlikely heroine.
“The Gathering III” will look into the occult, specifically witchcraft history. The book idea requires him to study the origins of witchcraft and the many forms that it can take. As most of you know, witchcraft or mediums as they were called, were mentioned in the bible. However, it is the author’s belief that witches, mediums, sorceresses, fortune tellers etc., have a far deeper history than biblical times or during the times of the witch trials. It is his hope to share his opinions with you through his presentation and a preview of his latest book.
RANDE GOODWIN is also a Connecticut author who was ecstatic to hear about this festival. His book, “The Witchfinder’s Serpent,” builds upon the early CT witch trials.
It’s primarily a modern-day YA fantasy that builds upon the CT witch trial history. Although it is about magical witches, it was important to the author to treat the witch trial victims with utmost respect and to help spread word of their plight.
Eperience the Hampden County Hexenbruts dance troupe from Western MA - inspired by the lovely ladies from Wolfshäger Hexenbrut, a German dance troupe that performs every year at Walpurgis in German.
This group performs and supports other troupes around New England throughout the year to raise funds for local charities and non-profits, participates in community events & activities, and gathers
together for fun and frivolity.
They perform such songs as Schuttel Deinen Speck by Peter Fox, Diese Kalte Nacht by Faun, and one with their own choreography, called Witches in Bikinis by Witches in Bikinis (all songs can be purchased on Amazon Music or Spotify).
Festival performance times are 11:30al, 1:30pm, and 4pm.
With Respect
Presented by the Producers of
CT ParaConn and
the Salem Paranormal Horror Convention.
.Info: (203) 795-4737
email CTWitchTrialsFest@gmail.com