Bellevue to become ‘Wizardvue’ during Harry Potter-themed celebration
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There may be snakes in the local hardware store, fire-eaters parading down the street and owls and wizards all about town.
Once a year, Bellevue becomes Wizardvue, a celebration where the borough transforms into the magical world of Harry Potter with all its quirks and oddities.
“After I was elected, I was talking with our librarian about how we both liked Harry Potter,” said Bellevue’s 31-year-old mayor, Emily Marburger, who will likely be better known as “The Magical Mayor Marburger” on June 22 for the borough’s second Wizardvue.
Organized through the Friends of the Bayne Library, a local nonprofit, proceeds benefit the library as well as Northgate School District students. Students in grades 3 through 6 will receive their own copy of a Harry Potter book.
Last year, Bellevue police estimated between 3,000 and 5,000 people attended the event, Marburger said.
The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“It was pretty busy all day long until after 5 p.m., which is why we cut back the hours a little bit this year,” Marburger said.
Marburger said about $5,000 was raised through last year’s event, mostly through merchandise like the “Bellevue is Magic” T-shirt.
“This year, we had the same artist design a new shirt, and we’re also doing pop sockets (for cellphones),” Marburger said. “It’s not really even just Harry Potter. We’re really showing the magic that Bellevue has.”
Many of the shops along Lincoln Avenue will become magical marketplaces for the day. Marburger said that last year, many of the owners of Bellevue’s small businesses dressed up and helped out.
T&M Hardware and Rental has a room in its basement that looked like a dungeon, so the store hosted a Chamber of Serpents. Kids had to fight someone dressed as a snake to get to the dungeon where they met a real snake and learned about reptiles.
“It was just really neat to see it all happen,” Marburger said.
There will be Wizard Yoga in Bayne Park, a parade, a Wizard Idol contest, an owl show from the National Aviary, live music and other magical events throughout the day.
There will also be more than 30 vendors selling themed items at the “BaynesMeade Magical Market,” set up along Lincoln Avenue between North Jackson and North Balph avenues.
At 2 p.m., the “Flamecrest Academy” will host a performance of a parody play written, directed and performed by Northgate students.
“We make sure to put on an event that everyone can afford, and coordinate to make sure the entire town is benefiting from it,” Marburger said.
For more, including photos from last year, an event schedule and more, see Wizardvue.org.
Below, take a video tour of Wizardvue 2018.