Fans of the Harry Potter films and literature may have found their nostalgia fix by visiting the town of Ithaca in New York. The place transforms into Hogsmeade, Harry Potter's infamous town, for a weekend in a festivity they call the Wizarding Weekend.
A three-day-festival of Harry Potter inspired recreations, Wizarding Weekend offers visitors and local members of the community various Harry Potter infused activities like a daily Dark Arts Coffee Tour and Horcrux Hunt, Half Blood Prince Blood Drive, Dumbledore's Army Training Class, Advance Potions for Adults session, Quidditch Pitch, a costume contest called Wizard Rock and Wizard Classes for both adults and kids.
Huffington Post reported that the event, which started last year, was an initiative of Ithaca's local business owners along the Press Bay Alley. Initially intended as a small town activity, Wizarding Weekend became a famous event attended by thousands of Harry Potter fans and fans-alike.
Jennifer Tavares, the president of the town's chamber of commerce, told the Huffington Post that this year they are expecting a number of 13,000 people to attend the festivity. "Events like this are a truly unique experience to which watching the movies cannot compare." said Jennifer.
Ithaca's' own local businesses are participative of the event also. Huffington Post said that around 35 vendors and businesses will offer film showings, Harry Potter inspired food-tastings and other various activities. Hotels around the area were also reported to offer discounts and special rates to those fans attending from distant places.
The Harry Potter novel and film franchise have long ended in 2011. However, fans show no sign of slowing down in participating events and showing admiration to the series in different opportunities. Specially now that a novel and a stage-play titled "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" is reigniting people's interest to the franchise across the globe.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
