HOLLY — A local man preparing to attend Friday’s Witches Night Out has purchased a historically accurate plague doctor costume in hopes of visiting downtown Holly without speaking to a single person he knows.
Thirty-four-year-old logistics coordinator Craig Hollister, who estimates that a typical walk down Battle Alley involves greeting at least six acquaintances, two former coworkers, and someone who knows his mother, said the costume will allow him to enjoy the evening in complete anonymity.
“I just want to walk around, look at some stuff, maybe buy a candle, and go home,” Hollister explained. “Last time I went downtown, I spent 40 minutes standing outside a store talking to a guy I haven’t seen since high school.”
His disguise includes a floor-length black cloak, a wide-brimmed hat, leather gloves, and the traditional long-beaked mask associated with 17th-century plague physicians, which he plans to pair with his reliable New Balance walking sneakers. Hodges has spent much of the week explaining the ensemble to friends, family, and coworkers, several of whom have now requested photographs.
“He interrupted our morning stand-up meeting to pass out a printed itinerary of exactly where he’ll be lurking between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.,” said coworker Cheryl Branson. “He also made us promise not to talk to him if we see him standing conspicuously under the streetlight next to the fudge shop.”
By Friday morning, at least 14 people had confirmed plans to attend Witches Night Out specifically to locate the plague doctor, including three who had not originally intended to go.
Hollister remains confident in his plan and has offered to share his live location throughout the evening with anyone having trouble finding his disguise.