When a roof beam was being replaced and some other work was being done at St. Patrick’s Church Museum in 2016, folks at the Old Sydney Society couldn’t help but notice how the historic building’s hand-hewn beams, and freshly whitewashed field stones, resembled the stone buildings of Hogwarts. They decided then and there that Harry Potter fans needed a celebration. And what better location than St. Patrick’s on the Esplanade in Sydney’s Historic Northend?
The Wizard Fair was a big hit and has become an annual event during Sydney’s Waterfront Festival (formerly known as Actionweek). The Wizard Fair returns to St. Patrick’s Church Museum on August 9 and 10 from 10am-3pm, and features free activities as well as traditional Diagon Alley stalls.
The Sorting Hat will assign you to your house, and house badges are available.
Try some Honeydukes candy (poison fish, or chocolate frogs, anyone?) or relax with a Potion to drink.
Ollivander’s Wands will be back this year with the best wands in the Alley, all made with care in the Ollivander workshop from traditional materials. Buyers are informed that the Ministry of Magic requires all wands to be licensed, so we will have an agent on hand to sign the paperwork.
This year J. Pippins Potions, will be selling ingredients from their renowned apothecary shop, so you can purchase items for your own potions -everything from boomslang skin to Unicorn tincture. All carefully gathered from the wild, or harvested from our secret sources. Please do not administer Veritaserum on the premises.
Try a little Quidditch practice, or Whack-a-Pixie. We can’t guarantee you’ll make the team, but you don’t know until you try (flying broomsticks not included). Get a picture taken at Platform 9¾, or visit the Cupboard Under the Stairs.
Wizard Dress is encouraged, and admission is free.
