Newport's Brilliant Move to Recruit Vampires as Blood Donors Goes Global

The Vampire Swim, returning this Halloween, started in Newport as a small cold-water challenge to encourage blood donations in a season when supply often runs low.

Halloween Hustle Returns to the City Dock

At its most recent meeting, the Newport City Council gave the green light for Kingdom Games to use the City Dock for this year’s Halloween Hustle, an annual fall event that combines community fun with creative fundraising. According to Phil White, who represented Kingdom Games at the meeting, the Halloween Hustle includes a youth parade and a “monster bash” in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Department.

White told the council that the dock’s central location makes it an ideal home base for event activities, keeping everything close to other Halloween celebrations in the city’s downtown. The motion to approve the dock’s use passed unanimously, with no objections from council members.

The "Vampire Swim" Blood Drive

Last year’s Halloween Hustle featured a twist worthy of the season — a cold-water charity swim known as the “Vampire Swim.” The event’s hook: swimmers brave the chilly waters of Lake Memphremagog while also donating blood.

According to White, the 2024 swim attracted participants from Quebec City, multiple U.S. cities, and even international locations such as Ireland. Inspired by its success, organizers encouraged groups elsewhere to create their own versions. The result was a network of 15 “Vampire Swim” venues last year, including two in Ireland, one in Loch Ness, and others in cities like Boston and New York.

White emphasized that hosting the swim at the City Dock is more effective than Prouty Beach, due to its proximity to other Halloween activities and better spectator access. “People can come watch this craziness,” White said, adding that some participants also take part in the run, have lunch in town, and then do the swim.

Newport's Rise as an Open Water Swimming Destination

While the Vampire Swim may be the most eye-catching, White also used his time before the council to highlight the Northeast Kingdom’s growing profile as a venue for open water swimming. According to White, Lake Memphremagog and other area lakes are attracting swimmers from 35 U.S. states and countries including Ireland, Scotland, and Saudi Arabia.

Events such as the Kingdom Swim already draw large crowds, but interest is expanding to ultra-marathon swims that start at Newport’s City Dock and stretch to locations such as Magog, Quebec; Skinner Island; and Smuggler’s Cave. These routes can range from 16 to 18 miles.

White requested that the City Council consider a trial arrangement allowing Parks and Recreation to approve use of the dock for swimming events directly, rather than requiring case-by-case council approval. He argued this would reduce administrative hurdles while allowing for better coordination.

Balancing Swimmers and Boat Traffic

Not all council discussion was about costumes and community spirit. Concerns were raised about potential conflicts between swimmers and boaters at the City Dock, especially during early-morning fishing hours.

According to council members, the city-owned dock — unlike a state-managed facility — can be used for such events with local permission. White acknowledged the issue but noted that most swims either take place at night or in the early morning, and that his team has a track record of successfully coordinating with boaters. “It’s not like a mass start of 150 swimmers,” he said. “We wait if a boat is coming in or going out.”

A Community-Oriented Future

With its vote of support, the council signaled its interest in making the Halloween Hustle and related events a permanent fixture in Newport’s seasonal calendar. The Vampire Swim not only raises spirits — it also raises blood donations, linking fitness and philanthropy in a way that’s both novel and community-minded.

If the trial arrangement for dock use moves forward, Newport could cement its reputation not only as a hub for quirky Halloween traditions, but also as a world-class open water swimming destination.