Magic is in the air at Westerville Public Library, where the ninth annual Wizards & Wands Festival is casting its spell throughout October.
The free celebration of all things supernatural offers more fun than you can shake a flying broomstick at, including interactive displays, games, fandom events and more.
“Last year, we attracted 5,123 visitors throughout the month of October and are hoping to make it even bigger this year,” marketing manager Tamara Murray said.
Some events take place on specific dates, while others are offered all month. For instance, visitors can enjoy a walk-through experience each day and complete themed missions to enter prize drawings.
A highlight will be the Fourth Friday Celebration from 4:30-9 p.m. Oct. 23. The lineup
includes The Giant Bubble Show providing soapy amusement such as 20-foot bubbles and kids inside bubbles, and The Cooking Caravan leading a sing-along. Costumes are encouraged.
The Wizards & Wands Festival also offers animal presentations and art for various ages, among other events.
Video games, puzzles, more
If you’re into video games, board games or jigsaw puzzles, here are a few events that will enchant you:
- Through Oct. 31 - Fantasy LEGOs on Display (all ages)
- Through Oct. 31 - Puzzle & Game Swap (all ages)
- Oct. 17 - D&D Adventure for Beginners: Library After Dark (ages 12-18)
- Oct. 20 - Fractured Fun: Create Your Own Puzzle! (ages 12+)
Create a creepy craft
Participants can create everything from miniature wands to mythical beasts at these offerings:
- Oct. 15 - Haunted Lithopane Prints (ages 18+)
- Oct. 15 - Art Time: Glow-in-the-Dark Art (ages 4-11)
- Oct. 22 - Brushes & Beasts: Fantasy Paint-Along (ages 18+)
- Oct. 26 - Make Your Own Cryptid Squishy (ages 12-18)
- Oct. 30 - Crafternoon: Spooky Houses (ages 4-7)
Discover fandom fun
In addition to a life-sized TARDIS and a fortune teller inspired by Disney’s “Haunted Mansion,” kids can enjoy these fandom-related attractions:
- Oct. 20 - KPop Demon Hunters (ages 4-11)
- Oct. 26 - Descendants vs. Zombies (ages 4-11)
Check out a creature feature
Learn about real-life critters and meet a few in person at the following happenings:
- Oct. 23 - Astounding Animals from Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (all ages)
- Oct. 25 - Wolves: Fact vs Myths (ages 6+)
- Oct. 28 - Have You Seen a Nesting Raptor? (ages 18+)
Visit westervillelibrary.org/wizards for more information about the Wizards & Wands Festival.
Contact features and entertainment reporter Belinda M. Paschal at bpaschal@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Westerville library's free Wizards & Wands Festival runs all October
