Harry Pottering
On Friday, July 20, the Village of Peninsula, population 602, was transformed into Hogwarts. Wizards and the like abounded; costumes were incredible, magic was everywhere. We were Ollivander’s Wand Shoppe, and thousands of wizards and their muggle companions, from the very young to…….mature came to be measured for the perfect wand. Young wizards were advised that magic was a serious thing; it was to be used wisely and responsibly. Wide-eyed and serious, they nodded acquiescence.
The police department estimated 5-6,000 people flooded the Village. The feeling in the Village was the incredible feeling of community, a feeling so amazing that not even a band-aid was handed out, and there was no litter. Just the glow from, as they say, children of all ages, basking in the magic.
What is is about this book that has captured the hearts of people world-wide and inspired so many to share an experience? Why has this phenomenon transcended differences?
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Larramie said,
July 30, 2007 @ 8:55 pm
Show me the wand, Debra, please show me the wand!
Cath Bennett said,
July 30, 2007 @ 9:50 pm
It’s magic, isn’t it? So fantastic. Wish I could have been there in your small town. That’s just incredible and I hope someone took pictures!!
fromskilledhands said,
July 31, 2007 @ 8:22 am
Larramie–we had a variety of wands: for the apprentice wizard, the journeyman wizard and for the master wizard. We sold out of them. I am hoping for a photo of a wizard avec les wands to appear.
Cath–We were so busy that we didn’t have the opportunity to take pictures. I’ve been asking people in the Village if they have any to share. Stay tuned…
Mary Witzl said,
August 8, 2007 @ 5:32 am
The stickler in me wants to say ‘But Ollivander’s wand shop is in Diagon Ally!’ But perhaps Hollywood decided that Hogwarts should have its own separate branch.
Where I live in Scotland, I have often been asked by American tourists where Braveheart took place. ‘Hollywood,’ I always tell them. Sadly, this isn’t the answer they are expecting.
How interesting it must have been having your town transformed. Was the post-magic adjustment difficult?
Robin said,
August 10, 2007 @ 9:55 am
Oh, I wish with all my heart I could have seen that! I love Harry, and I love Ms. Rowling for bringing the world SUCH a magical book. I truly feel that she has single handedly increased the amount of reading that children do, all over the world.
I hope you can find some pictures for us to look at, especially of your transformed shop.
fromskilledhands said,
August 11, 2007 @ 8:22 am
Mary and Robin–The Village was truly a magical place that night. So magical that it still exists in the hearts and memories of those that were there. So far, I have only found pictures of our children and friends dressed for the night (and some of the parents don’t want the pictures online). No one seems to have any other pictures. People are still riding the good feeling wave.