Kensington transforms for Rowling release
Calling all witches, wizards and muggles alike: Kensington will mark J.K. Rowling’s latest release by transforming into the wizarding world’s famous Diagon Alley.
If reaction to the Facebook event posted by the Kensington BRZ is any indication, fans are spellbound.
“I’ll be dusting off my wand and practicing up some spells!,” Janice Hutchison-Benko wrote.
The idea came from Pages Bookstore, which approached the Kensington BRZ a couple of months ago. It exploded once it hit Facebook where as of noon on Monday nearly 4,000 indicated they’d be there with robes on.
More than 7,500 others have expressed interest in going.
“It’s turned into quite the affair,” said Ellen Parker of the Kensington BRZ.
The transformation will happen Sunday, July 31, to celebrate the release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Rowling’s hugely anticipated stage play that casts Harry in the role of dad.
Twenty-four retailers have signed on to recreate the disjointed alley made famous in the series, but you can expect other retailers to join the fun.
Organizers have even drawn a Marauder’s Map to lead folks around to participating businesses where they’ll find all manner of magical eats and treats: Polyjuice potion, butter beer, fizzy whizbies and golden snitch cupcakes, among others.
The map will be available at Pages — which becomes Flourish and Blotts — and the online version at visitkensington.com
The event will extend beyond the shops and the Plaza Theatre, where Storybook Theatre will host a script reading from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At 1 p.m., two Quidditch teams will battle it out at Riley Park.
BRZ spokeswoman Jamie Campbell said it should be an amazing day for us muggles.
“Kensington is already its own Diagon Alley, and I think this is going to be a great family event for everyone to come down to.”