If you’re still bummed out about Fred’s death, and are still debating over whether Harry’s son should have been called Albus Severus, this Harry Potter themed festival in Chestertown would be your pilgrimage.
The Harry Potter universe commands following like no other. Right from the original fans of the series who are now in their twenties, to adults with good taste, and young magic-enthusiasts, who have only just now discovered the incredible world weaved by J. K. Rowling, the series that sees goodness, bravery, friendship and love triumph over evil has won hearts all over. Cherishing the love for the books ( and the movies, for some) all over again is this delightful Harry Potter themed festival that works in the warmest of manners.
In the postcard-pretty and modest town of Chestertown in Maryland, USA, a Harry Potter themed festival was initiated in 2014 to bring lovers of the franchise together in a fun-fueled extravaganza celebrating the boy-hero. Along with bringing the world of Hogwarts to life, the festival also pushes for appreciation of local community and arts. And all this? For absolutely free, as the festival charges minimum prices for some ticketed events limited by space.
The festival states with an adorably-worded notification that it is in no way a festival backed by either J. K Rowling or the movie series custodian Warner Bros., as it only attempts to celebrate love for the series as enthusiastically as it can. Children and adults, from not just Chestertown, but from around Maryland rush to attend the two-day festival, dressed in quintessential Harry Potter garb. From stuffed Hedwigs, to cute Death Eaters with their painted-on dark marks, the festival has all these cosplayed participants take part in series-led activities that would make any fan jump in joy!
From screenings of Harry Potter movies to literary discussions on the books, the festival lives Hogwarts as literally as it can with events that would make any Hogwarts-letter hopeful dizzy with joy. These include –
Ollivander’s where local craftsman Robert Ortiz has a range of wands for wizard-hopefuls.
Potter in the Park where an entire park space is converted to not just represent local Harry Potter-inspired local arts and crafts but also includes a Quidditch Photo Booth, Beauxbaton Academy and a Phoenix Dueling Club.
A special Hogwarts Potions Class by the Radcliffe Creek School.
A college-level Quidditch Session.
The entire town of Chestertown is named on a special festival map, after Harry Potter locations. These include The Shrieking Shack, Gringotts, Leaky Cauldron, Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, The Whomping Willow Tree of Life, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.
This year, the festival is also accepting donations towards conservation of two local community centres in particular. They are the Garfield Centre for the Arts, that they loving call, ‘Their Hogwarts’, and the Kent County Fund, in addition to several other initiatives.
The festival is testament to how a lovable piece of literature can be celebrated in a bid to boost community interaction and support for local arts. It not only brings happy, like-minded people together, united by their admiration for what is now a classic, but it also encourages life-long love for an artistic masterpiece.
(Images from: chestertownhpfest.org)