Wizardly Weekend brings magic back to Kent

Diane Smith, Record-Courier
·2 min read
Jocelyn Zamberlan, 12, of Bradford Pennsylvania, eyes her wand at the 2021 Wizardly Weekend in Kent. A wand making workshop will be part of the festivities on Saturday.
Jocelyn Zamberlan, 12, of Bradford Pennsylvania, eyes her wand at the 2021 Wizardly Weekend in Kent. A wand making workshop will be part of the festivities on Saturday.

The magic returns to downtown Kent this weekend, as Wizardly Weekend brings Harry Potter-themed activities back to the downtown area.

More: https://www.record-courier.com/story/business/2018/07/25/visit-wizardly-world-in-downtown/

The event, organized by Main Street Kent, will include a non-competitive fun run, a pub crawl, and variety of family-friendly activities on Saturday, including miniature golf, a vendor village, costume contest, wand making and more.

Heather Malarcik, executive director of Main Street Kent, said the event, once called "Potterfest," has changed over the years. The festival, which first took place to mark the release of a book in the Harry Potter series, changed its name to comply with copyright restrictions.

Main Street Kent's Wizardly World of Kent weekend takes over the Downtown. Acorn Alley transforms.
Main Street Kent's Wizardly World of Kent weekend takes over the Downtown. Acorn Alley transforms.

"It's evolved to the point where businesses have something special to offer, and it really brings the community to experience the downtown," she said. "We're hoping for an eventful day."

Festivities begin Friday night with the 6th annual "Run that Shall Not Be Named," a non-competitive fun run through the Kent State University Campus. Costumed participants will begin the 5k loop at the Lester Lefton Esplanade.

Friday's activities also include the Wobbly Wizard Bar Crawl. Participants can check in at Water Street Tavern between 5 and 7 p.m. and will be offered a Wobbly Wizard bar crawl “pass,” custom glassware, jello shots in house colors and other "magical giveaways. Registered guests also will be entered in a prize raffle.

On Saturday, a Vendor Village will be set up along Erie Street from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The street will be closed, and vendors will offer hand-crafted, event-themed items, including some licensed Harry Potter merchandise.

A variety of activities also are planned at Hometown Bank Plaza, including a wand making workshop by the Kent Junior Mothers, origami art, a chance to meet Kent State University's Soaring Black Squirrels quidditch team, and photo ops with Harry the Black Squirrel.

A-Squared will offer themed painting classes at 175 E. Erie St. featuring Haggard Man; Dumbledoor Man & Fawx Bird; and Fantastic Hypogriff paintings. Registration links are available on Main Street's website.

Main Street Kent's Wizardly World of Kent weekend takes over the Downtown. Everly Garner, 4, of Kent, paints a section in the "paint by number" community art project.
Main Street Kent's Wizardly World of Kent weekend takes over the Downtown. Everly Garner, 4, of Kent, paints a section in the "paint by number" community art project.

Those who want to take a break from the heat can come inside the Kent Stage and watch "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" at 1 p.m. Saturday.

"It's going to be a hot day," Malarcik said.

Bell Tower Brewing Co. will offer a ball at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Guests are encouraged to wear formal wear, including dress robes and house colors.

Last year, Acorn Alley was turned into Dragon Alley during the Wizardly World of Kent. This year's celebration will take place July 20-25 in the city's downtown. While activities of past events will be missed, organizers have worked with businesses to develop a magically themed, week-long celebration with menu specials, wizardly treats, window displays, magical merchandise, and even some safely distanced activities.

Other activities include a costume contest at Dan Smith Park for adults and children; a "sorcery stone search" for themed painted rocks; a herbology workshop at North Water Brewing; Three dozen special merchandise offerings, menu items and activities being offered by area businesses are listed on Main Street's web page for the event. Malarcik said some offerings are new, such as the butterbeer flavored popcorn at Popped.

Reporter Diane Smith, who has read all the Harry Potter books, seen all the movies and has been sorted into the house of Hufflepuff, can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com. 

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Wizardly Weekend brings its magic back to Kent