Get your wands ready, 'cause it's about to go down. That's right kids, everybody's favorite boy wizard is set to take over the Amphitheater 6:30 p.m. tomorrow night. Courtesy of the efforts of University Programs Council, Potter Palooza is an event that aims to bring some of the magic of the world of Harry Potter to life. UPC Cinematheque director Chrissy Regelski gave some insight into how the event came to fruition.
"The inspiration for Potter Palooza came from a former UPC director's idea for an event called 'Potter on the Lawn.' Year after year, this idea got lots of support, but there was no real action behind it until this year when UPC was ready to take it on," she said. "From the start, our goal was to make a Potter event happen." April Jung, another member of UPC Cinematheque, added, "We knew it would be a great project because the event would appeal to the vast majority of the student population. I mean, we have over 2,000 people attending the event on Facebook and we're absolutely ecstatic."
The buzz around the event is well-founded. There be free food in the form of Potter Popcornicle, Honeydukes delectables and Butterbeer, as well as classes such as Transfiguration - a caricature-drawing station - and Herbology - where attendees can plant their own seedlings. The main events are sure to be the contests, which include a Horcrux Hunt and a Trivia battle, giving fans the chance to contend for eternal glory - or at the very least, bragging rights and some pretty cool prizes. The night will culminate in a showing of the most recent Potter film, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1, under the stars in the Amphitheater.
As a person who began reading the series when I was the same age as Harry, and finished it in kind, the world of Harry Potter has been a huge part of my childhood, and always will hold nostalgic value, whether through memories of where I was when I was reading the books, or who I was with when I was watching the movies. Regeleski shares some of these sentiments. "I think that Harry Potter is such a lasting cultural phenomenon for the same reason we had so much fun planning this event - it is imagination at its best," she said. "Harry Potter particularly resonates with our generation because we grew up with the books and films. Whether you are invested in Harry Potter or find it just pure entertainment, you could engage with Harry Potter's story year after year."
As an integral work that will be remembered as a staple of our generation, I am sure the series has had a similar effect on many others throughout our community, regardless of age or cultural background. So if you count yourself among those who waited for a letter from Hogwarts on your 11th birthday, then you should take the time tomorrow evening to indulge in the magic.
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