Harry Potter fans dress up one last time
By NAFIA KHAN Contributor July 11, 2011 5:10PM
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Updated: August 12, 2011 4:32PM
Witches and wizards took their last trip to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry — also known as Dominican University in River Forest.
The university hosted Potterpalooza Saturday night in honor of the finale of the franchise, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II,” which opens midnight Thursday in movie theaters.
Children, parents and professors dressed up as Harry, the Weasleys and the whole cast of JK Rowling’s characters to take part in a community celebration of the magical world of Hogwarts.
Lynn Zurowski, otherwise known as Molly Weasley, was with her family entertaining guests in the dining hall with their British accents and convincing costumes. Her family members are avid Harry Potter fans.
“I was very involved with the Magic Tree bookstore when they had the first book release parties so we always took part in those,” she said.
Dominican University Religious Studies Department Chairman Hugh McElwain became interested in the series when his kids were younger. He said he’s impressed by how quickly children took to them.
“I think it’s imagination. Kids love to fantasize and create new worlds, and they don’t distinguish between the imaginative and the real,” McElwain said. “I think the older we get, the less imaginative we are, though I see a lot of parents here that have read the series, too.”
Harry Potter movie fan Aiden Howes was very excited to be at Potterpalooza.
“I haven’t read any of the books but I’ve seen every movie that’s come out so far,” Howes said. “They’re awesome and one of my favorite series. I like series with magic in them!”
There was most certainly a bittersweet feeling at Potterpalooza, with the final movie release.
Zurowski’s son, Marek, was Ron Weasley for the evening. He said he’s sad about the series ending, having grown up with the books and movies.
“I feel like there was such a build-up and now it’s coming to a close,” Marek Zurowski said. “It’s sad but I think it’s going to end properly.”
Some attendees were reliving their favorite moments at Hogwarts.
Kimberly Mathes, who played Ginny Weasley at Potterpalooza, said her favorite character is Professor Severus Snape.
“He’s always cared about Harry and he ended up saving him,” Mathes said.
Potterpalooza attendees went on a campus tour, where they watched characters re-enact scenes: Harry walking to Platform 9¾ in his first year at Hogwarts, a dementor chasing an escapee of the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Professor Snape killing Professor Dumbledore at the tower.
Hogwarts students also attended classes in Potions, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology and Divination.
Potions class, taught by Dominican University chemistry professor Dr. Brent Friesen, left students spellbound. They learned about “spell-revealing potions” and how to use science to tell if your drink isn’t what it claims to be.
HP fans and siblings Michael and Molly Sletten enjoyed the potions lesson. “My favorite part was when he got his hand stuck on the potion,” they said.
Assistant professor of clinical psychology Dr. Cari Hughes led the Divination class, where participants shared their dreams while Dr. Hughes interpreted them.
Defense Against the Dark Arts class featured an aikido lesson with Dr. Diane Costanza. She is a lecturer in Dominican’s Rosary College of Arts and Science and a fourth-degree black belt in aikido and owner of a dojo in Oak Park.
Justin Oquendo said he walked away from the class with an important lesson.
“My favorite part was when she said you can put your mind, body, heart and spirit together, you can be stronger,” Oquendo said. “It doesn’t matter how bigger or taller people are than you, you can always be stronger but without having the intention of hurting somebody.”
The evening ended with a showing of the movie trailer for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II.”
Hogwarts students left with a satisfied taste of the magical life, eager to see the final movie this weekend.
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