Potterfest 2016: Things Get Harry at Edinboro University

Saturday, Sept. 17

Quidditch you just can't scratch? Case of the Hogwarts that won't clear up? Point your broomsticks down Route 99 to the Wizarding World of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania for Potterfest.

For one week, the Edinboro campus becomes a place even a Muggle could love, with a bevy of activities for you and the whole un-enchanted family. Although J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series is fantasy, it has had a very real impact on pop culture and its themes and symbolism have spurred serious discussion in the academic community. For those who want to skip philosopher's stones with fellow intellectuals, the Ravenclaw Conferences could be your ticket. Brainiacs can also engage in the Joey Laythe Wizard Scrabble Tourney Sunday afternoon (starting at 1 p.m.) or Potterbowl Trivia Monday evening at 7 p.m.

If you can't summon the motivation for that, don't get your knickers in a twist – there are plenty of more passive entertainment options for you and yours. Enjoy a symphonic wind ensemble performance of music from the Harry Potter movie series Tuesday evening (7:30 p.m.) or Potter 6.0, an original play by M.B. McCarthy, both Thursday and Friday evenings (8 p.m.) at the Cole Auditorium. After all, you'll need your rest for the Quidditch tournament that will close out the festival.

The popular airborne sport from the novels has been adapted for the gravity-bound, spawning leagues around the nation. The game combines elements of rugby, dodgeball, and tag. Teams are comprised of seven players, each delegated a specific task. At its core, it is three chasers trying to get the "quaffle" (a volleyball) through the opposition's hoops, guarded by a keeper. Besides the keeper, each team has two beaters to mount a defense. They hurl "bludgers" at the chasers, who upon being struck must return to their own endzone and drop the quaffle, should they be in possession. Finally, a snitch enters the playing field every 18 minutes with a "tail" (think flag football) attached to his or her behind (the sport is coed). If your team's seeker successfully snatches the snitch's tail, it's game over. If that's not incredible enough, this is done with a broomstick betwixt the legs at all times.

Leave your invisibility cloaks at home, folks. You'll definitely want to show up for this. – Matt Swanseger

Sept. 17 to 24 // Full list of events, times, and locations at potterfest.cs.edinboro.edu/Schedule // 219 Meadville St., Edinboro