Witchcraft has long been associated with mystery and intrigue, captivating the imaginations of people throughout history. In the small town of Bridgton, ME, there is a unique connection to witchcraft that has become the focus of local lore and legend. Bridgton, located in Cumberland County, is a picturesque New England town known for its charming streets and beautiful lakes. However, beneath the surface, there is a rich history of witchcraft that has fascinated residents and visitors alike. The story begins in the late 18th century when a young woman named Sarah Bishop moved to Bridgton. Sarah was known for her unusual behavior and was rumored to possess supernatural abilities.
Sarah was known for her unusual behavior and was rumored to possess supernatural abilities. She quickly became the subject of gossip and suspicion within the town. As the rumors grew, so did the fear and paranoia among the townspeople.
Witchcraft light Bridgton ME
Bridgton Farmers Market (1 mile away)
Saturdays all summer behind Reny's parking lot 8AM- 12PM. You will find delicious fresh baked goods, locally grown veggies, fruits and canned delights, local honey, handmade soaps, locally roasted coffee beans, handmade pottery and more. Support local farmers, experience the heart of our community through our farm workers & delight your health and taste buds at our beloved market. And when you're through brows the shops just steps away for unique Maine gifts.
Local Shops (1 mile away)
There are lots of great shops downtown and a spacious parking lot behind Reny's which is a 2 level department store. Other favorites include Bridgton Books, Corn Trading Post, Firefly, Bavarian Chocolate Haus, Gallery 302 showcasing local artisans and numerous antique shops and funky stores featuring unique Maine gifts. For thrift store seekers: 207 Trading Company, Main Street Mercantile, Bridgton Storage & Consignment LLC and just a few miles to Fryeburg, ME, Nine Lives Thrift Shop benefits Harvest Hills Animal Shelter.
Pondicherry Park (1 mile away)
You can access the park behind Reny's parking lot or if you want to park closer to the obstacle course
section drive to the Lakes Environmental Association Parking lot off Willett Rd (which is off S. High street). Our beloved 66 acre Nature Preserve lovingly cared for by several local environmental groups. In the summer months they often have a storybook trail with pages from a children's story posted along the trail. yes our town is awesome!
Bridgton Highlands Golf & Tennis (2 miles away)
Bridgton Highlands is open-to-the-public golf and tennis facility located in Bridgton just minutes from the Resort. Their 18-hole layout provides a challenging and fun golf experience in a scenic setting. F our courts and a tennis program led by USPTA Professional, Justin Chaffee, provide lessons, round robins, couples doubles, tournaments, junior programs and more. Bridgton Highlands welcomes individual play, group outings and tournaments.
Wellness Services (1- 5 miles away)
Nectar of Maine offers delicious plant based smoothies, CBD products and Yoga classes onsite. For intuitive coaching and yoga classes Threads of Yoga is on Main Street. Dr. Françoise Villedrouin holds a Masters in Acupuncture and Doctorate of Traditional Chinese Medicine at her office Heartfelt Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine . Love Life, Massage & Wellness offers a variety of massages, hydrotherapy & reflexology. Our local chiropractors include Ten Lakes Chiropractic and Heritage Integrative Healthcare . Massage therapists include Blue Summit Massage , Fiddlehead Massage , Hummingbird Haven , Sage of Light , and PURE Spa & Studio offers facials, skin care, waxing, hair stylist and massages. Serenity Wellness Spa & Salon offers hair stylists and skin care services.
Movie Theaters (1-3 miles away)
We have two movie theaters in Bridgton. The Drive-In Theater is at 383 Portland Rd, Bridgton, 04009 will assuredly be open for the 2021 season. Tickets should be purchased in advance online or by phone. The Magic Lantern is an indoor theater with multiple screens and a restaurant. They are re-opening 7/9/21!
Nightlife (1-2 miles away)
There are a host of funky pubs in the area and a few offer live music. Just click on their names to check out their websites or call for events. Tap House on Depot Street (behind Reny's) is a local favorite with pub snacks and a broad range of drinks. Standard Gastropub features a few hundred craft beers. The Break Room 248 is a bar arcade with video games, pool tables, darts and more. Black Horse Tavern , and Campfire Grill both have full dinning areas & bar seating.
Other Cool Local Stuff (1-3 miles away)
Rufus Porter Museum of Art and Ingenuity highlights this artist, musician, teacher, inventor, and founder of Scientific American magazine. Porter (1792-1884), a man ahead of his time, had countless inventions including the revolving rifle and sold the rights to Samuel Colt helping revolutionize the munitions industry. The Gibbs Avenue Museum at the Bridgton Historical Society highlights Bridgton's past as a farming community, a center for trade and coming of the narrow-gauge railroad. Narramissic, The Peabody-Fitch Farm (1797) offers a glimpse of New England on the eve of the Civil War. News Clip Here . Take a hike to the quarry that was the source of the granite for the foundations, visit the restored blacksmith shop, and tour the house, furnished largely with items original to this mid 19th-century Maine farm. WildFed founder and Bridgton resident, Daniel Vitalis, created a show, podcast, and lifestyle brand which integrates hunting, fishing, foraging, and ecology with nutrition, cooking, community, and outdoor adventure. Featured on Chronicle, Outdoors, Boston Globe and others, Vitalis' aim is to connect people to the wilderness through food.
The Ballroom (5 miles or 10 minute drive)
This local jewel offers a wide array of dance movement modalities including tap, ballet, jazz, creative movement, ballroom, Latin, Zumba, yoga, ecstatic dance and more. The ballroom boasts an impressive faculty of instructors, offering group and private classes in a large renovated & restored historic building. Aside from being a skilled dancer, the lovely founder Nan Brett is a licensed massage therapist and offers movement therapy.
Deer Trees Theater (6.5 miles or 11 minute drive)
'Maine's Most Enchanting Playhouse' In 1936 a stunning opera house was built on the site of an old deer run in the forest above the friendly village of Harrison, Maine. The theatre was the vision of opera singer Enrica Clay-Dillon. It was designed by Harrison G. Wiseman, a famous theatre architect of the d ay who was instructed to “Create the most acoustically and technically perfect theatre possible”. Constructed of rose hemlock, in the Adirondack Style, with hand-carved fixtures and near perfect acoustics, the 300 seat theatre was considered as fine as any on Broadway!
Nurture through Nature (8 miles or 15 minute drive)
Jen Derasp created a wholesome refuge on 33 forested acres in Denmark. This solar-powered, off the grid retreat offers private hiking trails along, a large wood fired sauna, a spring~fed mountain brook leading to views of Mount Washington. Qi Gong, yoga, mindfulness meditations, guided forest therapy walks, are a few of the offerings available.
77 Warren Rd. Denmark, Maine, USA 04022
The Songo River Queen II (10 miles or 15 minute drive)
The Queen is a replica of the famed Mississippi River Paddle Wheelers. Built in 1982, the Queen is meticulously cleaned and maintained to the highest standards. She is rated for up to 350 passengers and is handicapped accessible. The Queen has 2 decks including an open upper deck with protection from the sun and rain, as well as a fully enclosed lower deck with restrooms. The Queen can easily accommodate large groups of people for weddings, corporate outings, bus tours, reunions, and any other event you might like to book. In season, they have boat trips running daily.
Naples Seaplane Adventures (10 miles or 15 minute drive)
The scenic ride adventure begins as the seaplane takes off from the dock on Long Lake in Naples, Maine. From the air the sights of the beautiful lakes region of Western Maine can be explored. Their float plane can seat up to five passengers so bring the entire family for an unforgettable flight. This is a truly breathtaking experience.
Denmark Arts Center (10 miles or 15 minute drive)
The Denmark Arts Center is an award-winning cultural organization founded in 1994 in the rural community of Denmark, Maine. Housed in the town’s historic 1883 Odd Fellows Hall, the DAC offers year-round events and workshops in contemporary dance, theater, music and visual art to young and old.
Burgundar (10 miles or 15 minute drive)
Burgundar is a dedicated LARP (live action role playing) village and a place of adventure. With 80 acres of evergreen forests, winding trails, and permanent buildings, it is the perfect place for the imagination to run wild. As a host site to several LARPs, Burgundar offers a unique opportunity for game runners and an immersive experiences for players. The site includes a tower, roundhouse, tavern, house of records, a six foot diameter fire-pit in the center of the village, a staffing area with a storage building, outhouses, a camping area, and a long dirt road that is accessible by most vehicles. Check out their events page to sign up for upcoming adventures!
Lake Kezar Country Club (13 miles or 17 minute drive)
This par 72 gem combines a 1924 Donald Ross Design with a 1998 spectacular and breathtaking back nine. The challenge and beauty of the brooks, ponds, stonewalls and majestic Eastern white pines are never ending. Lake Kezar Country Club in Lovell, Maine offers four sets of tees on every hole to accommodate any level of golfer. With superior public accessibility and discounted group rates, this golf course has become the destination for many corporate, group and family outings. Please call the clubhouse for tee times.
The Stone Mountain Arts Center (19 miles or 30 minute drive)
This local preforming arts center hosts national acts up close and personal in their intimate timber frame hall. Acts Like Lyle Lovett, Brandi Carlile, Los Lobos, Aaron Neville, Indigo Girls, Capitol Steps, Béla Fleck, Mary Chapin Carpenter and more have graced their Maine Concert Hall Stage. The owner Carol Noonan is also a lovely and talented performer who created this treasure in our backyard.
(695 Dugway Road, Brownfield, Maine 04010)
Places of Worship
There are several houses of worship in Bridgton including: First Congregational Church UCC , Pleasant Mountain Presbyterian Church , Bridgton Alliance Church , St.Joseph's Catholic Church , Lake Region Vineyard Church , St. Peter's Episcopal Church , Grace Christian Church. The closest synagogue is Temple Shalom in Auburn, ME (50 min.). The closest Muslim center is the Maine Muslim Community Center in Portland, ME (1 hour).
Laura Hill Eastman
Performing Arts Center
(14 miles or 20 minutes)
Nestled on the Fryeburg Academy grounds, this venue hosts concerts, theater, and other preforming arts. Check out their webpage for upcoming events.
Tickets & Events
This link shows a calendar of events in your area and enables you to purchase tickets in advance online. Hayloft at Dragonfly Barn events can be found on this site.
The Hayloft at Dragonfly Barn
(3 miles or 7 minutes)
This spacious beautiful venue features music, dance and performing arts. They have a facebook page which is linked above to search for upcoming events.
ANNUAL EVENTS
Every Fathers Day weekend in Mid June, Naples is home to an epic Maine Blues Festival . The Fourth of July sees Bridgton’s Four on the Fourth Road Race , one of the largest races in New England! This event is just a part of the Town’s annual Independence Day festivities, with fireworks always on July 3rd, the parade on the 4th, and plenty of other activities on both days. For quilters, we have the Annual Chickadee Quilt Show . For those who love fine furniture, craftsmanship, or living history displays, the Annual Artisans and Woodworker’s Show at Narramissic Farm has been held for over 20 years. Dozens of artists display their wares at the Annual July Art in the Park event. Held on the banks of Stevens Brook, this fair includes food, music, and fun for all. Enjoy a day of family fun, with a dunk tank, live concerts, kids’ games, displays, food, and more at the Annual Depot Street Festival in August. The Fryeburg Fair is one of the largest agricultural fairs in the State drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and highlighting award winning animals, produce, canned and baked goods as well as dozens of artisans and carnival rides. Check our weekly paper, The Bridgton News , every Thursday for dates of festivals, summer bazaars, live entertainment, public suppers, etc. Call the local Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce or check out the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce for ideas and information.
All Trails App
There is a free All Trails app that shows hiking trails in your area. It also has other hikers feedback and observations.
Headspace App
Just a plug in for this awesome App. It's a gentle introduction to meditation and mindfulness for children and adults.
Star Gazing App
There are free astronomy/star gazing apps that allow you to hold your phone to the skies and identify constellations and other celestial bodies.
Burgundar (10 miles or 15 minute drive)
Burgundar is a dedicated LARP (live action role playing) village and a place of adventure. With 80 acres of evergreen forests, winding trails, and permanent buildings, it is the perfect place for the imagination to run wild. As a host site to several LARPs, Burgundar offers a unique opportunity for game runners and an immersive experiences for players. The site includes a tower, roundhouse, tavern, house of records, a six foot diameter fire-pit in the center of the village, a staffing area with a storage building, outhouses, a camping area, and a long dirt road that is accessible by most vehicles. Check out their events page to sign up for upcoming adventures!
Sarah was accused of using her powers for malicious purposes, causing misfortune and illness to befall those who crossed her path. The fear of witchcraft spread like wildfire throughout Bridgton, with people accusing their neighbors and loved ones of being involved in dark magic. The hysteria reached its peak when a group of townspeople banded together to form a "witch hunt." They believed that by eliminating those accused of witchcraft, they could rid Bridgton of its supernatural presence. Sarah Bishop was the primary target of this witch hunt and was eventually captured and executed. Despite Sarah's death, the belief in witchcraft lingered in Bridgton. Many claimed to have seen her ghost haunting the town, seeking revenge on those who condemned her. Tales of strange occurrences, unexplained phenomena, and mysterious happenings were passed down from generation to generation. Today, Bridgton embraces its witchcraft history, capitalizing on its unique connection to the supernatural. The town's annual Witchcraft Festival attracts tourists and enthusiasts from near and far, featuring events such as tarot card readings, potion-making workshops, and reenactments of Sarah Bishop's trial. Bridgton's relationship with witchcraft serves as a reminder of our fascination with the mystical and unknown. It highlights how stories and legends can shape the identity of a place and captivate the imagination of its people. In conclusion, the small town of Bridgton, ME, is known for its unique connection to witchcraft. Sarah Bishop's story and the subsequent witch hysteria have left a lasting impact on the town's history. From ghostly sightings to the annual Witchcraft Festival, Bridgton continues to embrace its supernatural past, captivating residents and visitors alike..
Reviews for "Bridgton's Famous Witchcraft Trials: What Really Happened?"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I had a terrible experience at Witchcraft Light in Bridgton. The staff was rude and unhelpful, and the atmosphere felt really fake and forced. The prices were also ridiculously high for what they were offering. I was hoping for a unique and authentic witchcraft experience, but all I got was a cheap tourist trap. I would not recommend this place to anyone looking for a genuine witchcraft experience.
2. John - 2 stars - Witchcraft Light in Bridgton was a disappointment. The main issue for me was the lack of knowledge and expertise from the staff. I expected them to have a deep understanding of witchcraft practices, but they seemed clueless and unprofessional. The products they sold were also overpriced and of low quality. Overall, it was a letdown and I wouldn't recommend it to serious practitioners of witchcraft.
3. Emma - 1 star - I visited Witchcraft Light in Bridgton with high hopes, but it turned out to be a total waste of time and money. The staff seemed more interested in selling merchandise than actually providing a meaningful experience. The shop felt more like a gimmicky gift store than a legitimate place for witchcraft practices. I left feeling disappointed and deceived. I would not recommend this place to anyone who wants a genuine witchcraft experience.
4. David - 2 stars - My visit to Witchcraft Light in Bridgton was underwhelming. The shop itself was small and cramped, making it difficult to browse and explore. The staff was unfriendly and unresponsive to my questions. The overall vibe of the place was negative and fake. I wouldn't go back or recommend this place to others looking for an authentic witchcraft experience.