Fantasy fans and book lovers alike can experience the magic of the Westerville Public Library all month long with a lineup overflowing with events and activities. The fourth annual Wizards & Wands Festival celebrates a wide variety of fantasy fandoms to champion the power of stories, from Hocus Pocus to The Lord of the Rings to How to Train Your Dragon.
"There are times when I read a book and the whole world disappears as I fall into a story. My heart races as characters have adventures and fantastical experiences. Wizards & Wands is like that for me." says Lisa K, Customer Services Assistant Manager and 2021 event coordinator
The brave and fearless can embark on missions - such as writing a knight oath or designing a potion - for chances at prize drawings. Those wanting to travel through time or across dimensions can explore magical worlds - from enchanted forests to a dragon hatchery – with a walk-through experience in every nook and cranny of the library. And anyone who believes in otherworldly possibilities can meet Hilda the Dragon - a 30-foot smoke-breathing dragon perched on the library's roof.
"I love making the magic of books come alive for children and the community." says Robin G, Youth Services Manager
Spellbinding performances - from fairy tale puppet shows to escape rooms, enchanting improv to flying falcons - are scheduled throughout the month, culminating in a night of unexpected wonders during Midnight Madness in Uptown Westerville on Friday, October 28, 2022.
"I love seeing kids excitedly rush over to point out Toothless or Shrek. It brings fantasy to life in a fully immersive way - more than the books and movies themselves already do!" - says Liz D, librarian and 2022 event coordinator.
About the Wizards & Wands Festival
Libraries are places that inspire magic, filled with stories that can take you to extraordinary worlds. Since 2018, the Wizards & Wands Festival has embraced that sense of wonder by bringing books to life and creating an unforgettable experience for the Westerville area community. This signature event attracts thousands of visitors of all ages from across Central Ohio, those who already love the library and those who have never been inside the library before.
