Wizard Costume Ball returns for 28th year in Montague

The “castle” that Montague resident Brian McCue built starting in 1994 at 240 Greenfield Road will host the 28th annual Wizard Costume Ball on Saturday starting at 7 p.m. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/BRIAN MCCUE

Montague resident and “Wizard” Brian McCue. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/BRIAN MCCUE

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

Staff Writer

Published: 10-18-2024 4:15 PM

Modified: 10-18-2024 6:45 PM

MONTAGUE — Brian McCue of Montague says that outside of weddings and funerals, the only way to get people together is to have a party. On Saturday, Oct. 19, what McCue considers to be the best party in western Massachusetts, the Wizard Costume Ball, will return for its 28th year at his “castle” at 240 Greenfield Road.

Some of the highlights this year include a laser show, a drum circle, dance floors, potluck, multi-genre music from The Gaslight Tinkers and the traveling art installation the BlissDome for partygoers to gather. Around 250 people attend the party each year, McCue said, and he opens his home and property to the community.

“It’s the only way to bring people together, and that’s basically what I do. I know a lot of people, a lot of people know me and I’m kind of on the map because of the house,” McCue said. “So the event’s really cool. [It’s] always peaceful, always a lot of people.”

The Wizard Costume Ball, originally titled the Renaissance Ball, gained the wizard name because of McCue’s inclination toward the spiritual, and he is known as “The Wizard” who lives at the castle.

The Halloween tradition at McCue’s home started when he first began building the home 30 years ago in 1994. For more than a decade, McCue was a member of Montague’s Renaissance Community in the 1970s and into the late 1980s.

Leaning into his ability to bring people together and his community connections, McCue has opened his property to other parties and events for many years, including a yearly Renaissance Community reunion and concerts from local musicians throughout the summer months and into the fall.

“I open up the house because there’s a million people that go through [here] and want to see it, and I’ve been doing it for so many years,” McCue said.

This year, McCue plans to have a large turnout of people with activities available throughout the night. The party starts at 7 p.m. with an hour of Kirtan, which is a Vedic tradition of group call and response. Music will continue until early in the morning, and attendees are encouraged to provide food for the potluck and bring their own beverages. This is an adults-only party with no pets allowed.

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