On Friday evening, fans of the Harry Potter book series and film franchise gathered together to celebrate the holidays.
The Harry Potter Magical Holiday Ball was held at the Clearwater Barnes and Noble, as well as other Barnes and Noble locations around the country. This ball was inspired by Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, where students from international wizarding schools came together for a tournament and celebration. In the past year, the Harry Potter universe has expanded considerably. In London, a stage play entitled Harry Potter and the Cursed Child hit the stage, and the script of the play was released, on July 31st. On November 18th, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a film based around a textbook of the same name Potter and his cohorts read at Hogwarts, began playing in movie theatres. Shortly before the film’s release, it was announced by author J.K. Rowling that there will be five movie installments of the Fantastic Beasts story. At the party, unlike the Goblet of Fire novel and movie, there was no tournament of cruel tests, but there were plenty fun activities for fans of all ages to enjoy. In keeping with the holiday theme, there was a craft table set up for making specially themed paper snowflakes and ornaments styled after the famous Quidditch Golden Snitch. In the toys section, an employee used his phone to assess young wizards for their perfect magic wand. Trivia about both the books and films was played with competitive fans, while those looking to have more relaxed fun could participate in a waltzing lesson. While this holiday celebration was for one night only, it’s sure to be a lifelong magical memory for all who were in attendance.
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For the citizens of Tarpon Springs, FL, the Christmas season officially began last Friday at the first event of the season. For some, however, the most exciting affair is the upcoming Safford House Victorian Christmas, a historical reenactment in the home in Tarpon Spring’s earliest residents.
Dressed in period costumes inside the warm, old world Train Depot Museum are Bruce Miller and Marylee Owens. At this evening’s event, both were performing as Christmas carolers at Tarpon Springs’s first ever tree lighting ceremony. However, both are actors at the Safford House performance coming later in the month. Owens is a history teacher and Miller is the docent of both the Train Depot Museum and the Safford House Museum, which gives him access to all the information to play his role perfectly. “Bruce is always Mr. Safford,” said Owens, “because he knows all the history.” The aforementioned Mr. Safford is Anson P.K. Safford, who founded the city of Tarpon Springs. After he passed away, the Heritage Society of Tarpon Springs turned the home into a museum, which is where families are invited every year for the Victorian Christmas celebration. As all three continue discussing the characters and setting featured at the event, Owens mentions that Mrs. Safford was one the first female medical personnel, who once met Florence Nightingale. “That’s why the Safford house is really cool to go to,” she said. “We have actors that portray the Safford Family, and their staff” said Helene Macneil, who oversees the live reenactment, “and they welcome guests into their home for Christmas, where they enjoy the time. The year is 1887, we have Victorian Christmas carolers, and a harpist. Anson Safford sings ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ to the Victorian children and their friends that come to visit the house.” Macneil also mentions that complimentary refreshments will be offered, and there will be many activities for any children attending the event. For anyone looking to have a historical holiday or maybe just something a little different, the Safford House Victorian Christmas is something to add to the yuletide to do list. |
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