Students won’t need an invitation by owl to attend the festivities and feasts today during Harry Potter Day, presented by the University Program Council.
Kellie Snyder, co-chair of the UPC Special Events committee, said UPC decided to host the event to celebrate “one of our generation’s greatest literary and film achievements.”
“Our generation essentially grew up with Harry Potter,” Snyder said. “We watched him from the day he entered Hogwarts until the day he left. I am guilty of talking about Harry Potter characters as if they are my friends, and I think a lot of people are guilty of the same thing.”
The main events of Harry Potter Day will take place between 3 and 5 p.m. at Baker Center and will feature a feast at the “Great Hall,” a Quidditch practice session and a sorting hat ceremony. There will also be a “find the golden snitch” contest where students can channel their inner “seeker” and participate in looking for golden snitches. Prizes will be awarded to the first three students who find them.
The Campus Involvement Center will hold a demonstration to teach people how to make butterbeer at 6 p.m. The day will conclude with a showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in the Baker Theatre at 7 p.m.
Students aren’t just excited to dine and watch a movie, but also to share a childhood experience. For Bekki Wyss, a freshman studying English and history, the series is very close to her heart.
“I have a mild form of dyslexia, and my parents taught me how to read using the Harry Potter books, so I will always have a special, personal attachment to them,” Wyss said.
Spencer Thomakos, a freshman studying art and English, said he will attend because in addition to being “obsessed” with Harry Potter, he believes it has other merits besides the entertainment aspect.
“It’s a huge part of pop culture,” Thomakos said. “Plus, Harry Potter contains a lot of educational information in regards to Greek mythology and the Latin language and more.”
Snyder hopes the celebration will not only attract Harry Potter fans, but also non-fans who need an escape from everyday life.
“This event serves as a great mid-day break and will help everybody power through their hectic Wednesday schedules,” Snyder said. “It's a chance for everyone to take a short break from reality and forget about the stresses of being a Muggle.”
What: Harry Potter Day
When: 3-5 p.m. today
Where: Baker Center
Admission: free
What: How to Make Butterbeer demonstration
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Baker Atrium
Admission: free
What: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
When: 7 tonight
Where: Baker Theatre
Admission: free
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