Every so often I come across an idea, project, event where I think, Wow. This is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.
One of those things is happening this weekend.
My wonderful friend Ida has created an incredible idea and it’s called the “Epic Harry Potter Party.”
This weekend (9/3 – 4 hahaha get it!?) she will be hosting around 100 people at her home in West Virginia. Her house will be almost completely decked out in true Harry Potter fashion to have a weekend long movie marathon.
Being nearly across the country and 5 months pregnant I’m unable to attend but Ida has been amazing at making sure my husband, L and myself are all included. I actually cried when I received my acceptance letter to Hogwarts. It’s literally everything I hoped it would be. Included in our letters, along with our supply list was a Sorting Questionnaire to sort everyone into their respective houses.
After everyone was sorted, Ida sent sorting packages out to everyone with a sticker of each person’s house crest (I got Gryffindor!!!) and the cutest Howler I’ve ever seen.
Sorting Packages
At the party itself, those in attendance will compete for the House Cup. Ida is in Ravenclaw, in case you were wondering (I was!).
I wanted to write this great blog post about all the amazing things Ida’s doing and tell you all about it. But after chatting with her a bit I can’t describe it any better than she has. She has put so much energy and pure love into this project that I want you to hear it from her! So here’s a little Q&A Ida and I did last week about the Epic Harry Potter Party.
Kayla: Where did the idea come from?
Ida: Last year during a rather stressful semester back to school for the first time in eight years, I decided to sit down and have a movie marathon with some friends during Easter break. I guess the idea sparked from there. I kept thinking how awesome it would be to host a Harry Potter marathon party with my just as obsessed HP friends and one day on my way home it came to me. I kept thinking about numbers that were significant to the brand, Harry Potter’s Birthday, Start of Term for Hogwarts, Page 394, etc. Just when I was getting frustrated 9 3/4 popped in my head, so I looked at the calendar and low and behold September 3rd and 4th was not only a weekend, but a holiday weekend.
Kayla: What sparked your love of Harry Potter?
Ida: Unlike most I did not take to Harry Potter immediately, in fact, I tried to avoid the obsession all together. When I did finally pick up the first book I could barely get past the first chapter and decided it wasn’t for me. Then, when the Sorcerer’s Stone came out in theaters I went to see it with a group of friends. I fell in love with the movie and made up my mind to give the books another try. Once I was able to move past that first chapter and really dive in, I became completely enamored in the world of Harry Potter. One of my friends and I were creating fan fiction before we even knew what it was, casting spells, brewing potions, and truly believing we’d receive our letter if we just believed.
Kayla: Do you identify with any particular character?
Ida: When I was younger I identified with Hermione, I loved to read, studied hard, and my grades reflected that. I now identify with Luna Lovegoood with her creativity and uniqueness in addition to her intelligence.
Kayla: What was your favorite project to work on and why?
Ida: I’ve really loved the entire process, but making the invitations was probably the best. Everyone deserves an acceptance letter, even if it’s multiple years late and/or early. This is probably why I sent one to myself. I only wish I could have hired a couple owls instead of using the muggle postal service.
Kayla: What highlights will you be showcasing at the party?
Ida: I’ve included so many details, but some have been left out due to time and money constraints. For some reason a triple decker bus is nearly impossible to find. Just for a small idea included will be the Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley, Hogwarts Express, Quidditch Pitch, The Great Hall, The Room of Requirement, Hogwarts Portraits, and much, much more.
Kayla: Can you share with us the charity aspect of the party?
Ida: The interest grew so quickly around the party that I decided after watching Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (for the gazillionth time) that I had to include a clothing fundraiser to FREE HOUSELVES EVERYWHERE! My inner Hermione took over and everyone loved the idea. I started searching for a local charity that could benefit and that’s when I found the Shenandoah Women’s Center (www.swinc.org). I messaged them directly to make sure they could handle such a large donation and explained our plans. I was so lucky to find another HP fan on the other side of the email, she loved the idea and even said “[it] may be the best idea for donations [they’ve] ever gotten!” In addition to the clothing donations, we are also taking donations and selling tickets (all proceeds go to the charity) for the wood burning my mom did of the Hogwarts Crest. I can’t wait to see how it all comes together and I’m really hoping they can benefit greatly from it.
Ida said she’ll give me a tour of the place via Skype prior to all the festivities this weekend, and I can’t wait to see it! If you want to check out more, the hashtag is #epicpotterparty (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter). and you can see more on my blog post party in the next couple weeks!
As a little sneak peak, check out their home-brewed Butterbeer and handmade wands!
Spills, Spells and Stories 