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The wizarding world of Harry Potter comes to life with the debut of Potter Fest 2024: Year One from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds, located at 750 W. 200 S., in Columbus.

Featuring more than 60 vendors, the rain or shine event centers around Book 1 of the Harry Potter series, and will feature lots of magical-themed shopping, photo ops, hourly drawings, a wide array of delicious food and drinks, magical creatures and even an opportunity to stroll through the Forbidden Forest.

The inaugural event is based on year one at Hogwarts and is the first big fundraiser for the Copper Kitten cat sanctuary, says Keisha Keen, event organizer and founder of the Copper Kitten, Inc.

Formerly known as the Litter Box Kitty Rescue, the Copper Kitten is home to the cats of the former rescue who didn’t get adopted before it closed around 2022, Keen says.

“We are hoping to be able to be set for the rest of the year – for flea prevention, food, litter and health issues,” Keen explains. “We have old timers now, so we are going through all the senior stuff. The expensive stuff happens with the big guys. We want to be able to fluff that medical account, so we aren’t constantly asking for donations. It’s financial security for the cats.”

As Keen and her army of helpers make final preparations to welcome a crowd estimated to be in the thousands, everything is coming together as if by magic.

Shortly after the sanctuary opened, Keen and her husband, Mason, took advantage of some much-earned downtime to immerse themselves in the world of Potter by visiting various Potter-themed events and it was then an idea was born.

“I am a huge Harry Potter fan,” Keen says. “I’ve loved it since I was 15 years old, and I wanted to get back into the wizarding world. I thought, since I’m such a huge fan, why don’t we do a Harry Potter fundraiser and marry our love for Harry Potter and cats?”

Initially, Keen planned for a small community event to test the waters of interest. In November 2023, she tossed out the idea to some vendors who were regulars for the rescue’s two other annual fundraisers – Zombie Prom and Hand-Made Holiday – and the response was encouraging.

The word about a possible Potter Fest and vendor callout began in earnest in April 2024 and the response was, quite frankly, surprising – including responses from vendors from as far away as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois accepting the invitation to attend and share their wares, Keen says.

Among those setting up shop this weekend will be The Enchantaporium – based in Ohio, Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators – who will offer a Magical Creature presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm. featuring five Utopia ambassadors, kidscommons, the Bartholomew County Public Library and the Indiana Skunk Rescue.

In addition to the dozens of vendors, there will be nearly one dozen food trucks offering an array of items, including tenderloin, pizza, sno cones, ice cream and more. The little ones can expend their energy with a visit to the bounce house and take part in several Potter-themed activities, including visiting the hat bar where they can choose their own pin and patch.

“The event just formed and the number of interested people kept going up and it is now at 16,000,” Keen says. “Ticket sales are pushing 700 online and we are estimating a crowd of around 2,500. It will be the biggest event we’ve ever done.”

Visitors are encouraged to come in costume, too, as there will be a costume contest with two medals awarded for each category – Ages 0 – 10 years, 11 – 17 years and 18 and older.

Following the costume contest will be hourly drawings for great prizes, Keen adds.

Keen encourages those who attend to bring cash as there are some vendors who do not take credit/debit cards. Additionally, only service animals trained to assist with disabilities will be allowed entry.

Tickets for this event are $5 per person and kids 12 and under get in FREE. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

For more information about the Copper Kitten, Inc. Sanctuary, please visit HERE.

Keep up on the latest PotterFest 2024 news HERE.