Harry Potter week returns as a condensed, single-week event

By MC Bell | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Every November, Flagler students prepare to bring to life the tales and characters from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series through multiple events during the week.

Director of Student Activities, Kristina Lombardo, said this year the co-sponsorship committee is condensing the event into one week with a couple of events each day instead of spread throughout the month.

“I think that when you spread things out a lot, it loses the excitement,” Lombardo said. “Condensing it into one week is to keep that excitement going throughout the week. You kind of lose momentum when you spread out the events and make it too long.”

The co-sponsorship committee is comprised of Student Activities, Ringhaver Student Center, and Residence Life. Other offices on campus as well as students also help with the event.

Lombardo said their newest addition to the event is called Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.

“This is only our second year doing Diagon Alley. We set up booths representing the different stores and shops that you would have read in the books or seen in the movies,” she said.

She said we should expect the Great Hall located in the dining hall to be one to remember.

“We are going to try and elevate that experience with the décor and everything,” Lombardo said. “There will be more interaction with the students being able to participate and do things within the week.”

Lombardo said the committee’s goal is to put on great events that students and faculty will enjoy.

“We want to make sure the students are enjoying themselves and that they appreciate the experience of Harry Potter Week,” she said. “Ultimately, we are doing this to please them and make sure they are having a good time.”

President of Campus Activities Board (CAB), Courtney Cunningham, said the goal this year is to make Harry Potter Week one of the most memorable thus far.

“I know that the committee in charge of this, which I am on, is planning on this being the largest Harry Potter Week we have ever had,” Cunningham said.

She said the committee starts planning a few months in advance and meets frequently. Student services along with multiple members from CAB and Student Government Association (SGA) put a lot of work into the event.

Cunningham said Harry Potter Week has a large impact on Flagler culture.

“I know it is talked about when perspective students are given tours, and it is a tradition that sets our school apart from others.”

Harry Potter Week Schedule

Sorting                        Monday           10 a.m.-2 p.m.             Student Center

Quidditch                    Monday           5 p.m.-6p.m.                Palm Garden                          Scrimmage

Diagon Alley              Tuesday          5p.m.-7p.m.                The Commons                                                                    & Hogsmeade

Movie:                                                                                                                                  Fantastic Beasts &                                                                                                                     Where to Find them    Tuesday          7 p.m.-9:15 p.m.         The Commons

Potter Trivia               Wednesday     7:30 p.m.-9 p.m.         Student Center

Ollivanders                 Thursday         7 p.m.-9 p.m.              Student Center