WAYNESBORO, Pa. — Let the magic begin! Mainstreet Waynesboro is hosting its 10th annual Waynesboro Wizarding Weekend on July 31 and Aug. 1 in downtown Waynesboro.
The event began in 2017 as a small, one-day street fair that attracted approximately 4,000 people, and has since grown into a yearly activity that attracts thousands to Waynesboro’s unique stores, restaurants, galleries, brew pub and library.
Waynesboro Wizarding Weekend includes activities for magic fans of all ages, and features a Harry Potter Pub Crawl on Friday night (tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 at the door) and dozens of mostly free activities on Saturday, Aug. 1.
“This festival is one of my favorites,” said Bill Kohler, director of economic development for Mainstreet Waynesboro. “It really started out as an idea among me and a couple of volunteers, and then just erupted into this truly magical event that involved the movie theater, the art galleries, the library, the candy shops, the restaurants. It is a great feeling to see it evolve over the years and include so many facets of the community.”
The Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library continues to play a big role in the festival with a weekend full of fun classes, while the Waynesboro Theatre is getting into the act by showing “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” on the big screen at 7 p.m.
Several downtown businesses will be elbow deep in magic with everything from paint classes (Vibrantly Wild), candle crafting (The Vintage Flame) and soap making (Bathe.)
Other activities include Borogon Alley market at Main Street Park, 25 E. Main St., a trivia contest, costume parades, magic shows and the amazing Wand Workshop led by Professors Jen and Heidi at Music Makers, 46 W. Main St.
“One of my favorite things is seeing several generations dressed in Harry Potter or just plain magical garb for the day,” Kohler said.
Proceeds benefit Mainstreet Waynesboro’s downtown revitalization efforts.
For more information, visit mainstreetwaynesboro.org, or follow Mainstreet Waynesboro on Facebook.
