It's that time again! The time you get a bunch of Harry Potter party pictures, because we are all celebrating The Boy Who Lived over here. We have formally detached ourselves from She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and taken the fandom for ourselves, because, first and foremost, we are the fandom, and we own it. Anyway, let's start with some pictures from our local tea house:
We've only missed this annual tea in 2020, because the tea house was closed, but we've also drawn friends into this tradition with us, because everything's better with friends. We also made three new friends while we were there!
My annual party is coming up and the theme is Hogwarts Goes Hawaiian, so while I was looking for inspiration for others, I came across a vintage kaftan with these amazing sleeves and decided it would be perfect for tea (I already have a different costume for my party) and giving summer witch vibes. I customized a plain witch hat with some summer florals, added an exotic bird wristlet and my look was complete.
Now, if you've been following me for a few years, you know that this tea is really involved. This year - as well as last - they have hired a Muggle magician to really bring the magic while waiting in between courses. In the past they've done tea leaf reading, which was also very fun. Every trick includes at least one volunteer, so you can feel magical, too.
There is a list of themed teas to choose from, because not all tea is created equal, and you can also order fancy adult Potter-themed drinks as well. Your tea selections are as follows:
- Pumpkin Spice
- Dementor Tea
- Honeydukes Secret Stash
- Bertie Botts Every Flavor Tea (it's a surprise!)
- Knightbus Fog
- Luna's Lost Pear
- Professor Slughorn's Potion (a color-changing tea)
Every year some things are a bit different on the tea tray and this year we got a baby Mandrake!
 |
| Old and new friends - and Eric doing a good impression of Peeves back there. |
The butterscotch panna cotta with Snitch wings is delicious, as is everything that is served. We usually bring a container to bring home leftovers, because it's a lot of carbs and a bit much to eat in one sitting, but they are happy to give you a box and also a to-go cup with lid for any tea you still have in your pot.
After tea, I went straight to Wizarding Weekend where I was working with the Portland chapter of Fandom Forward (formerly Harry Potter Alliance), PDXpelliarmus, where I'm a Head of House. I worked the booth, selling our items, collecting books, checking people's Horcrux Hunt clues, and assisting with games.
All our events are fundraisers for charity and this year we were collecting books - and money - to fill out book lists for teachers who are trying to include inclusive and diverse reading material for their classes. We also were raising money, via are own products, to help pay for a venue for our annual Yule Ball, which in turn will be an even bigger fundraiser for a local charity/organization that promotes equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and/or literacy.
We take over a local hotel, that used to be a school, for the entire weekend. We have magical vendors in both Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley, we do a scavenger hunt, we have raffles, we have a Great Hall where we do costume contests, games, and people can hang out and eat themed food/drink offerings.
The Kennedy School donates half of their proceeds for the weekend to an organization that helps transgender folx with basic needs, like housing, food, health care, and employment. They raised over $5,000 selling Butterbeer, and other magical beverages, a special food menu, and playing all 8 movies in their theater.
Butterbeer is delicious. Cheers!
You'll be getting more pictures of my celebration of Harry Potter over the next few months, as I've got our annual party to post about and we'll be going to another Potter-themed fundraiser in October. You can also follow me on Instagram to see more photos. Remember: we are Book 8.
Do you celebrate Harry Potter, either for his birthday or any other time(s) during the year?
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment