The first event, Marqwarts, will be taking place at Campfire Coworks in Marquette from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will feature many classes from the Harry Potter universe like “Care of Magical Creatures,” “Divination” and “Charms.” The event will also offer activities like wand-making and a sorting hat, which will put attendees into one of the four houses from the book and movie series.

This event is for all ages and will feature vendors, food and giveaway prizes.

The Marq Ball will start at 7 p.m. at Barrel & Beam and is an adults-only event that will feature music, dancing, “magical mingling” and a silent art auction from local artists, organizers said.

Tickets for the events are available online at Eventbrite. They will also be available at the door at both locations, with kids’ admission free for the Marqwarts event.

Magic comes to Marquette on Saturday with two Harry Potter-inspired events taking place. (Graphic courtesy of Joel Siegel)

Attendees are invited to dress in their finest wizarding clothing for both events and are encouraged to wear masks.

These events are the first put on by Nerds of Marquette, a group started by Upper Peninsula native Ashley Ross and Joel Siegel, a former Chicago resident who recently moved to the Upper Peninsula.

They formed the group to try and create more events for “nerds” in the Marquette area to give them a place to connect with others who share their interests and to plan activities focused on some of their favorite books, movies and video games.

“Because there’s not these kind of events going on, I didn’t necessarily feel as included in the community,” Ross said. “It’s put up or shut up, if nobody is doing it, then we need to be the ones to make that happen.”

While neither event is affiliated in any way with Harry Potter, they are inspired by the massively successf

ul book and movie franchise.

The events are LGBTQ friendly, which is a major point of emphasis for Nerds of Marquette. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has drawn criticism over the past year regarding her controversial anti-transgender posts on Twitter.

Some proceeds from the event will go to Marquette-based group Social Justice for Us, a Marquette based nonprofit that focuses on promoting education, fighting against injustice and giving a voice to marginalized communities in Marquette and the U.P.

For more information about the events, like the Nerds of Marquette page on Facebook.

For additional information on Social Justice for Us, visit www.socialjusticeforus.org.

Randy Crouch can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. His email address is rcrouch@miningjournal.net.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

• Daily Newsletter
• Breaking News
• Obituaries

Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper *

• Yes
• No