Runology, quills, edibles, Hogwarts-style wares, lectures at Beauxbatons, and much more! Join us as MBU transforms for Queen City Mischief & Magic this weekend.
The third annual three-day event brings nearly 10,000 visitors (many of them sporting creative costumes) from across the country to downtown Staunton. Walk down Beverley Street and enter a wizarding world full of immersive experiences for all ages and themed shopping and dining.
In addition to hosting activities and events, MBU is sponsoring the main stage for the entire festival, Baldwin’s Wizarding Wonders on Beverley Street, where Michael Shwedick from Reptile World in Bowie, MD, presents Slytherin Show, a fascinating talk about several scaley creatures that he brought to share with Staunton.
Cadets from the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership are heading up parking management and logistics across the city, and MBU students are volunteering their time to help create Hufflepuff Village and Beauxbatons Academy.
Part magical village, part lively street festival, Queen City Mischief & Magic is a homegrown, fantastical celebration of all things Harry Potter.
Read on to explore what’s happening on campus this weekend.
Friday Night, 9/28
Workshop and Discussion: How can the Harry Potter books help us understand and even overcome mental illness?
6 to 8 p.m.
Friday night (9/29)
Pearce Science Center 301
6 p.m. “Thinking Differently: Using Harry Potter (and other Media) to Overcome Trauma”
Margie Fink, executive director of Transfiguring Adoption, shares the benefits of using media such as the Harry Potter books to help families bond and process trauma.
6:45 p.m. Refreshment break (with buttery beverage!)
7 p.m. “Muggle Disorders in the Wizarding World”
Dr. Louise Freeman, professor of psychology and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, looks in-depth at the Harry Potter series, its treatment of mental illness, and research suggesting Harry Potter readers have more compassion for those with psychiatric disorders.
Limited to 50 participants. Recommended for university students, parents, and other adults.
Saturday, 9/29
Beauxbatons Academy
Noon to 5 p.m.
Francis Auditorium
12 p.m. Welcome by “Madame Maxime”
Aka Dr. Martha Walker, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
12:05 p.m. Dr. Louise Freeman, “Mary Julia and the Hogwarts Parallels”
Learn about university founder Mary Julia Baldwin and the school she sustained during wartime.
12:45 p.m. Dr. Lundy Pentz, “What’s with those robes, anyway?”
Professor Emeritus and long-time faculty marshall Lundy Pentz talks about traditional academic regalia and explains why Hogwarts students wear their graduation gowns to class.
1:30 p.m. Dr. Katherine Low, “Wands at the Ready!”
University Chaplain Katie Lowe explains the cultural and spiritual significance of wands.
2 p.m. Dr. Lana Whited, “From Sorcerer’s Stone to Deathly Hallows: The Failed Quest for Immortality in the Harry Potter Series”
Dr. Whited, professor of English at Ferrum College and editor of multiple books on Harry Potter and the Hunger Games, will explore Voldemort’s futile goal of living forever.
3 p.m. Dr. Katherine Turner, “British Public School Tradition in Fact and Fiction”
Professor Katherine Turner shares insights into the British boarding school fiction genre.
3:30 p.m. Dr. Jenna Holt, “Strong Female Leads and the Adolescent Romance”
Gain a fresh understanding of Hermione and other strong female characters in young adult literature.
4 p.m. Dr. Louise Freeman, “Last Wizard in the Forest: Harry Potter and the Escape from Nature Deficit Disorder”
5 to 6 p.m. Beauxbaton’s Free-for-All
Join Dr. Freeman and others for an open discussion in Pearce 301 of Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Cormoron Strike, or whatever else we fancy!
Hufflepuff Village
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (specific activity times noted below)
Page Terrace in front of Grafton Library
Tent 1
10 a.m. to noon The Study of Ancient Runes (begins every 30 minutes)
2–4 p.m. Test your Quills Skills
Main Stage
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food service at “The Badger and Broomstick”
11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Costume Contest
1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Trivia Contest
Tent 2
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hufflepuff House Pride: Free Face Painting
Tent 3
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Potions! Pensieve! (Sponsored by Camp Quest)
Tent 4
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. MBU Admissions: Ready for Magic? Sort out Your Future.
Tent 5
Wizard Wares (MBU Mischief & Magic merchandise)
Plus
Life-size chess
Baldwin’s Wizarding Wonders Stage, Beverley St.
Noon to 1 p.m. Slytherin Show
Sponsored by MBU
Join us in welcoming Michael Shwedick from Reptile World in Bowie, MD, for a fascinating talk about several scaly creatures that he brought to share with Staunton. Michael has been entertaining wizards of every house with his reptiles and love for them for 50 years! He is hilarious and full of slinky surprises and fun facts about his favorite cold-blooded friends.
Sunday, 9/30
Magic & Mischief Music
3 p.m. Francis Auditorium
Soprano Anne Wick, one of MBU’s music faculty members, is including some Mischief & Magic-themed music. Please feel free to come in costume!
Ticket prices: adults $5, seniors and non-MBU students $4, kids 12 and under free