By Charles Romans
Carter County Times
A popular fan festival, Wizardfest, returns to the streets of Ironton, Ohio for its sixth year on November 9 and 10. The festival, which is a fan celebration of all things in the wizarding world, also showcases vendors from around the region and has become something of an Appalachian cultural event. Food, fun, demonstrations, trivia contests, and cosplay are all part of the festival that has grown consistently each year. The family friendly event brings current fans of the Harry Potter books and films together and generates new fans who might not have been able to enjoy the fandom yet.
“We like to think it’s the Greatest Show on Earth,” event planner Brad Bear said of the festival. “Everyone has such a wonderful time because there are just so many different things to do.”
“James Payton (Frank Longbottom in the Harry Potter films) and Walles Hamonde (who played an auror in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) are coming back this year,” Bear said. “And Adrian Rawlins, who played James Potter will be coming this year as well, along with Rohan Gotobed who played the young Sirius Black. This is definitely the year to be here,” Bear said.
Bear said Wizardfest is a festival made by fans for fans. Each year he listens to suggestions from festival regulars and new attendees, and he and the group behind the festival are always excited to get feedback and new ideas. They are all fans themselves, he said, which helps them put together a festival that other fans are sure to enjoy.
Some of the things you can enjoy this year include meeting the actors from the film series, dancing the night away at the Wizard’s Ball (18+), the reptile and creepy creatures show, and the signature offerings from the Two Beaters Wizard’s Pub. There will also be massive LEGO displays, broom racing timed trials, a craft tent and wand making, Batch 1313 Butterscotch Brew, Ironton Wizardry Academy classes, riddle rooms, themed photo ops, and team trivia.
But of course, since fans are always the most important part of the festival, there will also be spontaneous street performers, a marketplace with over 60 handcraft vendors, a Wizardry Heritage Market, and tons of food, candy, and pastries. And this year will mark the first year the event will have an owl (Theo, courtesy of Ken Barker), as well as a toad like the choir toads from the movies, and a Burmese python, Bear said.
Ticket prices for the event are the same as last year, according to the organizer, and most things are included with that price.
“All the panels and Q&A’s are included,” Bear said. “The only add-ons would be the one on ones and the Wizard’s Ball. Basically, unless you are going to eat it, drink it, or take it home it all comes with the ticket.”
Bear encourages both old and potentially new fans of the festival to visit their Facebook page or go to irontonwizardfest.com to see what is available this year. Advance tickets and signup sheets are also available on the website. He encourages people to check it out and plan to have a wonderful weekend of food, fun, and entertainment while celebrating all things ‘wizardy’ right in your own back yard.
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
