Derry – Make no mistake about it: Witches love a good party.

In Derry, the Gwiddon de Bedwin Stryd, also known as the Witches of Birch Street, are planning a bash they call the Witches Ball for Friday to celebrate Samhain, the Wicca New Year.

They're also doing it for a good cause: The proceeds will go toward funding a planned monument honoring veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Donna Watts, a high priestess, says organizers also want the second annual event to work as a public relations tool. Anyone is welcome, she says, and people unfamiliar with the religion might come away surprised.

Organizers said practicing witches are often misunderstood. During Friday night's celebration, there will be no spells cast and no black cauldrons. They act nothing like the characters in the Harry Potter series or "The Wizard of Oz."

Watts said she wants people to understand her group practices a religion. The religion is Earth-centric, she said, and participants shy away from negativity.

"We have no negative perception of ourselves, and we don't have any difficulty with society if they get to know us," Watts said last week.

Watts, a professional psychic and a decade-long high priestess, owns the Gardenias Bookstore and Learning Center on Birch Street. She had operated the business in South Boston before moving it to Derry nearly two years ago.

Friday's event will end with a circle in which participants will honor those who have died. Before that, the bash will be pretty much like any other party, featuring food, a cash bar, a disc jockey and dancing.

Generally, Watts said, only Wiccans go to the Samhain circle, which forms at midnight.

About 65 people came out for last year's event, during which organizers raised a little more than $900 for the Upper Room family resource center in Derry, Watts said.

This year's event will feature raffle prizes, including ones donated from new-age stores and Hannaford and Shaw's supermarkets.

Jane Snell, who has been a witch for 42 years, said last year's ball attracted many people who were not pagans. They were given a chance to learn about the religion's rituals.

Snell said there are witches throughout New Hampshire who are active within their communities.

"Most witches are good. We do everything for the good of all," Snell said. "We don't wish anyone harm and we don't harm anybody."

Organizers have been working for most of this year to raise $50,000 for the war monument, which they plan to dedicate at MacGregor Park on Memorial Day 2008.

Monument organizers recently announced they've reached their fundraising target, but are still raising money to cover the costs.

The ball, held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall on Railroad Avenue, will go from 7 p.m. to after midnight. Tickets, which cost $20, are available at the Birch Street store.

On the Net: www.mygardenias.com