Exclusive Interview: A “Potter”-Inspired Adventure Hosted by Always Entertainment Co.

by · Published · Updated

As Harry Potter fans, many of us desperately waited for our Hogwarts acceptance letters, though the owls never arrived. While some of us have fantasized about what could have been, others have set to work making their magical dreams a reality.

Always Entertainment Co., an organization dedicated to hosting immersive, book-themed experiences, has created a new, Harry Potter-inspired event. From October 11 to 15, followers of the series will be able to attend Hoggstowne School of Magic. From wizarding classes to feasts in the Great Hall, any Potterhead will be sure to have an amazing time. Since we are members of the aforesaid Potterhead community, we could not help but reach out to Always Entertainment Co. with some questions of our own, for we were giddy with excitement over the existence of such an experience. We had loads of fun diving into the details.

Right off the bat, we asked about the organization’s interest in the Harry Potter series; we had to make sure the organizers were truly invested in the story. Subsequently, we were pleasantly surprised, for as fans of the franchise, representatives from Always Entertainment Co. stated that their number one motivation for Hoggstowne was not only the massive following of the series but also their own personal connections to it. Furthermore, they discovered an almost tailor-made venue that looks directly out of the Wizarding World, an aspect that completely sold them on bringing their idea to fruition.

We are passionate Harry Potter fans, and […] we wanted to try a Harry Potter-themed event. There also seemed to be a great deal of interest outside of the company for such an event.

From there, we inquired about the organizational process, and while designing a Hogwarts-inspired school may seem like a dream come true to some of us, there really is a lot of work that goes into it. From securing a suitable venue and enlisting qualified teachers to drawing up lesson plans as well as organizing extracurricular activities, anyone would be left dizzy from the responsibilities. Though there was no one aspect of the event that was particularly troublesome to make happen, assembling a staff that could make attendees believe in magic was by far the most important detail to secure.

It’s no easy task organizing a wizarding school. Even though fictional, you are still faced with many of the hurdles and logistics a real school faces […] But the event begins and ends with people. You form a good team you can trust to see the job done, and done well.

We later discussed the event details, including the day-to-day schedule. On average, there will be six classes for Hoggstowne students to attend, with meals taking place between lessons. Following the academics, students will have an opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, such as Wand Dueling, Toad Choir, and Mermaid Club, prior to a feast in the Great Hall.

Our goal is for each day the attendees rise with the excitement and wonder of what lies ahead. […] At the end of the event, we hope everyone will leave with a notion of what it’s like to attend a wizarding school in real life.

Aside from the academic element of the event, we discovered that a menacing, magical, and powerful object will be unleashed on the school from forces unknown. There will be clues to be found as well as riddles to be solved for those who can note the signs and are clever enough to piece them together.

There is always a mystery to be unraveled that depends on the observations and careful deductions of the attendees. […] The key is in working with your Housemates and digging in our virtual library.

While of course this event has been designed for Harry Potter fans, after talking with Always Entertainment representatives, we believe people of all interests would be able to enjoy themselves. The only prerequisite: Be prepared to have fun!

Once at Hoggstowne, you become part of one larger family.

So have you been totally convinced to attend this event? It is safe to say we have. If you are interested in becoming a Hoggstowne student, be sure to register; we can’t wait to see you there.

Full Transcript with Always Entertainment Co., Friday, February 17, 2023

Could you provide background on the objective of Always Entertainment Co.?
Always Entertainment Co. (AEC) was formed after we realized that we wanted to host events that were interactive and got everyone involved. Instead of being panels where attendees simply listen to someone speak, the panel would actually be a class where part of it was instructive, and part was hands-on, in which everyone could contribute. When you come to one of our events, you become the character you choose to be, and your participation makes a difference. At the end of the event, we hope everyone will leave with a notion of what it’s like to attend a wizarding school in real life.

How did the company become involved with the Harry Potter series?
We are passionate Harry Potter fans, and after hosting several events based on other literary works, we wanted to try a Harry Potter-themed event. There also seemed to be a great deal of interest outside of the company for such an event.

Was there anything/anyone in particular that motivated you in creating an experience for the fans of these books?
Yes, the fans themselves. The idea was shopped around, and everyone seemed interested, if not downright excited about it. Additionally, the organizers themselves wanted to go to an event like this, so we decided to put it on ourselves. We also had an excellent venue that was almost tailor-made to the time period in which the wizarding world was set.

What was the process of organizing the event?
Thank you for asking that. It’s no easy task organizing a wizarding school. Even though fictional, you are still faced with many of the hurdles and logistics a real school faces, such as securing a suitable venue, enlisting qualified teachers, enrolling students, catering, drawing up lesson plans, scheduling, making and grading exams, organizing extracurricular activities, coming up with decorations and costumes, rehearsing, deciding on lighting and music, ticketing, budgeting, and scripting a mystery story for the event. But the event begins and ends with people. You form a good team you can trust to see the job done, and done well. The passion, vision, and direction must come from the organizers to provide a solid platform that allows the attendees to be themselves, which brings its own magic.

Were there any details that were difficult to secure?
There was the business end of starting a company, which was new to all of us. Our board secretary, who is also a co-organizer, was instrumental in getting this done through long hours of research and hard work. After that, securing suitable venues that can accommodate our needs, followed by assembling a staff who can make you believe magic really exists, were key details in helping us realize our vision for these events.

Could you describe a day at Hoggstowne?
Our goal is for each day the attendees rise with the excitement and wonder of what lies ahead. A typical class day would begin with breakfast before the first class. Breaks are provided between classes so students can prepare for their following class. A generous lunch break, as well as a free period on the two class days, allows for rest, study, shopping, fellowshipping in a common room, or however attendees wish to spend their time. Following the day’s classes, students can elect to participate in extracurricular activities before the final event of the day, which is meeting in the Great Hall for a glorious feast. Following the banquet, announcements are made and aspects of the mystery are addressed to further the story. The remainder of the evening is usually spent in a wizarding pub, hobnobbing over the details of the day, among students and staff alike. The final day revolves around exams and student competitions, culminating in a banquet in which awards and certificates are given and climaxing in the conclusion of the mystery. The closing event is a grand ball in which students can dance the night away and share one final magical moment together before leaving the wizarding world.

What do the classes look like?
On average, there are six classes attendees will encounter at one of our events. Each class addresses a different subject, and each classroom reflects that subject. We carefully screen our teachers so when we decide on one, it is because we feel they have the qualities that are best suited for that subject. For example, at our Year Three event in October, Potions will take place in an actual dungeon that can only be reached by going through a labyrinth of corridors. Conversely, Broomology will be in a lofty upper[-]floor setting flooded with natural sunlight. Our Herbology class, taught by the same professor for the third year, is located in a room with a wall of lovely translucent glass blocks and filled with intriguing plants. In addition to these are extracurricular activities, such as Wand Dueling in the Great Hall, voices raised in song on the main stage with the Toad Choir, or getting your feet (or fins) wet in our Mermaid Club.

Is there any significance in all the attendees being enrolled in their third year?
While one of our goals is to establish a continued history of our events that link one to the others, each year is designed to stand alone and resolves fully by the end of the event. Attendees need not have attended prior events to get the full experience of this one.

Like Hogwarts, does Hoggstowne have any mysteries that will need to be solved?
Aside from the academic element of the event, there is always a mystery to be unraveled that depends on the observations and careful deductions of the attendees. For example, in the first year, a Dark Lord was dispelled from returning; in the second year an attempt to overthrow Hoggstowne with a mythical beast was thwarted; and [in] Year Three, a menacing, magical, and powerful object has been unleashed on the school from forces unknown. There are clues to be found and riddles to be solved for those who can note the signs and are clever enough to piece them together. The key is in working with your Housemates and digging in our virtual library.

Are there any aspects that you are most excited about?
We look forward to the same things we always look forward to for these events, which is getting together with like-minded fans of this genre and experiencing this magical world together. Beyond that, we always anticipate welcoming new people, reacquainting with former attendees, and growing as a wizarding community.

Who would you recommend this event to, and where can they sign up?
We would recommend this event to any person who wants to step into the wizarding world for four days and be among witches and wizards in a setting we can usually only read about in books or see in movies. While we have had children attend our events (who must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian), due to its duration, this event is probably more suited for older teens and up. Our attendees have included entire families, small groups of friends, couples, and single people of all ages, but once at Hoggstowne, you become part of one larger family. More information about our events, including registration for Year Three, can be found at https://hoggstowne.org/.