The magical world of Harry Potter is taking over downtown Red Deer throughout the weekend.
The annual second Diagon Alley Downtown event, a celebration of all things Harry Potter, began Saturday and continues Sunday.
“There’s something for everyone with Harry Potter,” said Katherine Harris, event organizer and minister for magic during the weekend.
Dozens of people walked along 50 Street, between Gaetz Avenue and 49 Avenue, during the event dressed in robes representing their Hogwarts house – Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw.
Harris said she thought an event like this could be successful because there are so many Harry Potter lovers.
“You can have people from all walks of life come out to this sort of thing.
“We look out for each other, which is kind of funny to say. The wizards are looking out for each other. There’s no Voldemort or Grindelwald out here, just a good time,” she said.
The turnout Saturday was “pretty good,” Harris added.
“The weather turned out fantastic, last week we were going, ‘Maybe (we’re) not (going to get great weather),’” she said.
Several downtown businesses worked together to make the event happen: Sunworks, Tribe, LV’ Vinyl Cafes, The Coconut Room, The Velvet Olive Lounge, Red Boar Smokery, Chronicles Comic Cafe, housewarmings and To The Lost.
The event included several activities, including a movie marathon, quidditch, a scavenger hunt, a wand designing station, a costume contest and photo opportunities with Medicine River Wildlife Centre’s Otis the Owl and with a replica of Hagrid’s motorcycle, which was brought to the event by Moviebikes.ca.
Harris said Red Deer Culture Services provided pamphlets for people to do walking tours, so attendees could do things that aren’t Harry Potter related too.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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