An event that attracted a cult-like following and generated a prosperous night for various businesses in its downtown has put Lehighton on the map.

Tina Henninger, owner of Wine & More on 1st, gave a recap at Monday’s borough council meeting on the recent Witches’ Midnight Market her business hosted.

Henninger said the event, held on Oct. 28, was a vendor fair in which an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people attended.

She said there were no issues, the event was clearly well-attended, and the local downtown businesses were very happy.

So much so, Henninger said, that several businesses reported a major uptick in sales during the fall-themed event.

“Leroy (Gaston) from Alfie’s told me it was his best night in 22 years,” Henninger said. “We do intend to run this again next year.”

Henninger said the plan for next year’s event is to have activities for children take place earlier in the day.

However, Councilwoman Lisa Perry said traffic was a major concern.

“The way traffic was rerouted, Second Street was a nightmare,” said Perry, who suggested that perhaps traffic should be rerouted somewhere other than Second Street.

Henninger said she would be more than willing to comply with that request for next year’s event.

“Parking is always going to be an issue,” Henninger said. “I don’t see why we couldn’t reroute it.”

It was noted that record-breaking crowds flocked to neighboring Jim Thorpe for the final weekend of the town’s annual Fall Foliage Festival.

“We do have other options,” Henninger said. “Next year, we will be making more use out of the (borough’s lower) park.”

Henninger told council they would like to do four events a year; one on the last Saturday of April, another on the third Saturday in September, on the last Saturday in October, and possibly one in mid-December.

While she doesn’t foresee next year’s Witches’ Midnight Market event attracting as many guests as this year’s did, Henninger said the goal is to get Lehighton to be an affordable option compared to Jim Thorpe.

After Henninger said she’d like to make a formal request to have a street closed for an event in April, Councilwoman Becky Worthy, who said she attended the event, stressed the need for businesses to be easily accessible.

As part of the event, vendors set up inside various businesses along the downtown.

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said that with so many organizations in the borough planning events, she’d personally like to see all the groups present their schedules for 2024.

Under public comment, Aggie Schoenberger, of Peaceful Knights, noted that when she looked on Facebook before the event, there were 66,000 people interested in attending.

Schoenberger said that unfortunately, there’s an element of evil that exits out there, and while the event itself was good for businesses, she questioned if that’s what the borough wants to be known for.

David Miller, owner of Within Harmony on First Street, said he agreed with Schoenberger to a point, but that social media isn’t always a true level of accuracy, and while there’s no way to gauge the mindset of 67,000 people, he believes that’s an unfair assumption.

Further, Miller said events that draw such a devout following can only be a great thing all around as it helps only the businesses, but brings attention to the borough.

“Lehighton is now on the map,” Miller said. “(There are) great things happening; people are noticing Lehighton for all kinds of great reasons.”

Robbie Furman, owner of Robbie’s Balloons and More on First Street, said he’s glad he decided to open his business in the downtown.

“I’m really loving Lehighton; I’m learning so much every day,” Furman said. “The town is great; I fell in love with Lehighton just because I see much (excitement) here.”

Furman added he believes the future looks bright for the borough.

“I believe the way Lehighton is going, I felt the winds turning in the right direction,” he said. “(Besides an airport), ever other thing you can find is here in Lehighton.”