ITHACA, N.Y. -- You'll find Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans, chocolate frogs, and broomsticks for a Quidditch tournament in Ithaca's Press Bay Alley this weekend. It's all part of a Harry Potter-themed Halloween celebration business owners are hoping you won't soon forget.
"Our employees will be dressed in wizarding garb. Our baked goods person, Audra of Wildflower, will be providing us with Harry Potter-themed baked goods," said Christopher Cowan, co-owner of Press Cafe.
It started out as an idea between business owners and their landlord John Guttridge. With several unique shops, they agreed it would be easy to turn the alley into the wizarding world's shopping district.
"Press Bay Alley is like Diagon Alley in lots of ways, it's kind of set off from the rest of the shopping district and its kind of a different kind of cooler kind of stores," said Laurence Clarkberg, owner of Boxy Bikes, who set up his bikes for a Quidditch match.
Due to the large turnout being anticipated for Halloween, the wizarding world of Harry Potter will extend beyond Press Bay Alley into the adjacent parking lot and other areas downtown.
"All the businesses in downtown are going to be doing something that will be thematic, you know, whether its just coming out in costume or actually transforming their store into something from the series," Clarkberg said.
In making an authentic transformation the shops here have taken on Diagon Alley identities. Bramble, an herb shop, has the title of a Magic Potions shop.
"We're going to be Boxy Brooms. Our neighbor on the right is going to be Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes and then the cafe on the end is going to be the Leaky Cauldron."
There will be a number of activities, including a Horcrux hunt, but the highlight will likely be the Quidditch tournament. Local high school students will compete while on broomsticks attached to Laurence Clarkberg's electric bikes.
You'll be able to experience Diagon Alley by visiting Press Bay Alley in Ithaca from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday.