By Paige Gurgainers

With only five weeks remaining before the Witches Ride of Minden, the committee has announced their 2024 Grand Marshals – Laura Hollingsworth and Melissa Brown.  

“These southern ladies have deep roots in this community and possess the epitome of a servant’s heart and carry grace and charm,” said event organizer Sarah Overall. “They are both wives, mothers, grandmothers, and have been active leaders in this community for many years. When they aren’t giving their time to their families, they are both serving on different committees and boards.” 

Hollingsworth and Brown also share the title of “Woman of the Year,” and have been actively involved in the Minden St. Jude (MSJ) Auction since 1995. 

“We were assigned to work the phone bank by then City Judge, John C. Campbell, who was the active MSJ Chairman. This was to ‘work off’ our community service hours that were minor traffic infractions,” said Hollingsworth. “Melissa and I both showed up with our own house phones to plug in under the table, and we have been hooked ever since.” 

Hollingsworth and Brown now oversee and organize the auction with the help of many others. 

“I guess you could say we are still ‘partners in crime’, 30 years later, for the kids of St Jude,” Hollingsworth joked. “It has been our deepest joy, our humble privilege and our constant passion to be a part of this amazing community phenomenon.” 

The auction will be celebrating 50 years in February 2025.  

Parade goers will have the chance to see these two dressed in their best “witchy attire” on Thursday, October 24, leading the Pearls of Purpose and the rest of the Witches Ride participants down the brick street.  

“In a world where you can be anything, why not strive to have serving hearts like these two wonderful ladies,” said Overall. “We encourage this community to come out that evening to thank them and honor them for their service with a wave or two.”