The witch-themed event, traditionally leading up to Halloween in October,[3] involves people wearing costumes while standup paddleboarding in the Willamette River.

[4] Participants have dressed as witches, sorcerers, warlocks, wizards,[1][2] and "aqua-type creatures from the deep".

[5] Some participants have also attached skeletons, spiders, and other "spooky" decorations to their paddleboards.

Event organizers have emphasized the need for participants to be experienced with paddleboarding, as lifeguards are not on duty.

[12] In 2018, KGW called the event "a stroke of Portland genius" and said, "You know you've hit big time when the Portland Fire & Rescue Bureau sends a boat to send up huge water jets usually worthy for a Rose Festival Navy Fleet Arrival.