Searching for a Way to Celebrate Harry Potter’s Birthday? Look No Further!
The Boy Who Lived may have been born at the end of July, but June is truly the month to celebrate this year, seeing as June 27 marks the 20th publishing anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. With the first Potter book hitting its milestone birthday, what better time is there to celebrate the wizarding world?
Mountmellick Library in Laois, Ireland, is pulling out all the stops. On June 27, it will host a presentation on J.K. Rowling, a photo booth, and a Potter quiz to kick things off. June 28 will feature a lecture from Dr. Jane Suzanne Carroll, Assistant Professor of Children’s Literature at Trinity College Dublin, entitled “The Word & the Wand: The Magic of Harry Potter.” The lecture is intended for those ages 12–99 and will be free and open to the public. The last day – Thursday, June 29 – will feature a wand workshop. If the events seem too far away, feel free to join in on their Invent a Spell competition, which is open now until June 27. Application forms for the competition can be picked up at the library. Visit here or contact the library for more information.
A little closer to home for our American readers is the debut of MAGICon in Greylock Glen, Massachusetts. The tallest peak of Mount Greylock is the home of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but the glen will be home to its first magic conference on Sunday, June 18. The convention will feature a quidditch match with the Boston University Quidditch team, a costume contest, vendors, food, live music, and more. Live music includes performances by local Celtic band Rakish Paddy, as well as Harry and the Potters. Kids 12 and under get in free, but all older witches, wizards, Muggles, and Squibs can get their tickets online or at the door.
Some of the scenery on display at Greylock Glen, home of MAGICon
A heads up for those attending the sold-out second annual Transfigured Town Festival in Goderich, Canada: The festival has been relocated and renamed. Now known as the Festival of Wizardry, it will be held in Blyth, Canada, just 15 minutes away. Organizers have promised that all tickets will be honored, and free parking passes, in addition to shuttles, will be available to those planning on staying in Goderich. The dates and activities are staying the same with one alteration – there will no longer be an opening ceremony on Friday night, but the funds allotted will be put into Saturday and Sunday’s events. More information can be found here.
Can’t make it to any of these events? Don’t worry; there are plenty of opportunities to add some magic to your life! Check out other Potter events in 2017 or join the fun at MuggleNet Live! 2017: Nineteen Years Later on September 1. You can get tickets right here.