Tag Archives: charity

Another Wizarding Weekend in the Books

Posted on August 7, 2026 | Leave a comment

We made it through our 9th annual Wizarding Weekend at McMenamins Kennedy School and we can’t thank you all enough for making it one of our most successful! Not only did you all show up for Harry’s birthday, but you also showed up for Boys & Girls Aid in so many ways. We took in so many school supplies and you all just threw cash at us to donate, by way of voting for your favorite wizard (Dumbledore!) and villain (Umbridge!), and some just because you wanted to support a great cause in any way you could.

This year’s costume contestants were some of the best, especially everyone who came on Sunday to do a Magical Mash-up! We didn’t have too many adults, but the ones we did have really brought the magic. From Snape turned ballerina to Trelawney on the track team, the mash-ups were awesome! We love everyone’s creativity and can’t wait to see what you come up with for next year’s mash-ups.

Your Heads of House did their best wizards/witches playing Muggle sports.

We had a new trivia master this year, Kelsey, who did her best to stump you, and we think she did on Friday. Despite some grumbles, she powered through and had a great time learning for next time and displaying all her Potter knowledge. A lot of magical people showed up for trivia and bingo and won some enchanting prizes, including a family season pass to Frog Pond Farms in Wilsonville, and a lot of cool items from our generous vendors (they are all linked in our event post on Facebook and in the slideshow above, so if you missed out on something, go check them out).

Kennedy School decided to get everyone exploring the school, adding a different House drink to each bar, plus Butterbeer at all the bars and restaurants. We tried them all! We think they were a great addition and a fun departure from previous years, where you could order all the drinks everywhere. Our Head Witch found a secret room while ordering Salazar’s Serpent!

Daisy, from Boys & Girls Aid, came to speak to everyone on Saturday before our costume contest and gave us so much information about what they do and how long they’ve been doing it. They are the real magicians for children who need families and support for foster parents as well. Did you know that they have been able to expand their entire organization due to one woman’s generous donation near the start? Before that, everyone at Boys & Girls Aid – then, Boys & Girls Aid Society of Oregon – was a volunteer.

And because you always want to know who won the “House Cup” over the weekend, we can proudly say that Hufflepuff did it again. From all of our events, we have discovered that Hufflepuffs are super generous and always down to help a good cause. Gryffindors just like a good challenge and will do their best to finish a scavenger hunt and donate as much as possible. Ravenclaws love trivia (shocking!) and trouncing everyone for House points. Slytherins don’t really turn out for causes, like Wizarding Weekend, but they will get real competitive over trivia at a Con, or give money if they know it can help them win. We actually don’t find any of this that surprising, and we love to see an underdog win in the last hour or so of an event, like Slytherin did at Fan Expo this year. Hufflepuff started off strong and didn’t give up the lead all weekend though. Go Puffs!

All of this to say, thank you for all your support. We will be taking all your donations + a big check with us to Boys & Girls Aid next week to help kids start off the school year with everything they need to succeed in school and at home.

Next up, come see us at Rose City Comic Con. We’ll be outside the convention hall. You can find us by looking for our dragon, Pyxys. We’ll be doing trivia all weekend, with new questions each day, and a chance to win tickets to Yule Ball. We’ll be taking cash donations to vote for your favorite magical people/places/things/animals, we’ll have a new photo op from previous years, and be doing Way of the Wand for your little witches and wizards (though grown-ups are always encouraged to participate) at 6:30pm on Saturday on the Rose City Jr Stage. If you’d like to volunteer at our booth, please fill out our volunteer form, or send us an owl (or email if it’s faster) if you’ve volunteered before and don’t get an email by Monday the 10th. Volunteers get a chance to see the con before/after their shift, so we’re saving you Galleons and you’re doing us a huge favor!

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2026 Yule Ball

Posted on July 19, 2026 | Leave a comment

We know that we haven’t even gotten to Wizarding Weekend yet, but Yule Ball is on the books! In fact, we’re posting this now, because tickets will be going on sale during Wizarding Weekend. We wanted you all to have more time to gather your magical party friends and get excited about this year’s event. Last year we added some new elements and this year is no different. Our theme is going to be the second Triwizard Task, so come in your regular elevated wizardwear or make it more magical by adding Black Lake creatures or elements to your look!

2026 Yule Ball will take place on Saturday December 12th at the Sheraton Airport Hotel’s Mt. Hood Ballroom

Presale tickets will go on sale Friday, July 24th at 5pm and run through September 13th at 5pm. Regular ticket sales will then begin on September 14th at 5pm, with online ticket sales ending December 5th. After that, you will be able to buy general magical tickets at the door, if they are available.

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Presale ticket prices will be:

$45 for Very Magical Person (general admission)

$105 for Champion’s Feast (includes a buffet dinner and a seat for the whole night)

$850 for a full 8-person table (with the option to add up to 2 more to your table)

Regular ticket prices will be:

$55 for Very Magical Person (general admission)

$115 for Champion’s Feast (includes a buffet dinner and a seat for the whole night + swag bag)

$850 for a full 8-person table* (with the option to add up to 2 more to your table)

*the best value, because it saves you $70 off over purchasing individual Champion’s tickets

Purchase Your Tickets Here

This year we will be rolling out the trolley cart of sweets for everyone after the Feast. A little something to go with your Butterbeer. The Sheraton has a 24-hour coffee/gift shop, an on-site restaurant, and plenty of parking. If you would like to forgo the Feast, but still want to do dinner, you can always eat at the hotel. Cascade Station has a lot of eateries to choose from as well.

Last year we introduced a little craft that people could take home from the Ball. Expect a new addition this year, because we want this event to feel fresh each year, while still having the same vibe that keeps you coming back.

More details to come.

Purchase Your Tickets Here

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Wizarding Weekend Donations

Posted on July 10, 2026 | Leave a comment

As you know, we are going to be accepting school supply (and monetary) donations for Boys & Girls Aid this year at Wizarding Weekend. Like Harry, many kids have had to grow up in foster families. Boys & Girls Aid makes those transitions much easier on everyone, but especially the kids. Their goal is to make sure all children have a safe, stable home, along with the support needed to thrive in their environment, and ultimately go from foster to adoption.

As the first and longest-running child welfare agency in Oregon, Boys & Girls Aid maintains a legacy of impact through innovative foster care, adoption, emergency shelter, and supportive housing services, offering a full range of informed supports that meet each young person’s unique needs and circumstances. 

Boys & Girls Aid is proudly leading the charge to create a bright future where a permanent, loving family and lifelong stability are within reach for every young person. We believe Harry would have both benefitted from such an agency in the Wizarding World, and also would have created something similar once he left school and second Wizarding War was over. All kids deserve a loving, safe family, so let’s help them with just a few things they need for starting the school year off right.

As you can see, they are not in need of backpacks, which I know people love buying for extra House Points. This year we will give out extra points for gift cards instead – 1 point per $. Everything is is 1 point per item. Thank you in advance for all your generous donations. The Wizarding fandom always shows up to make magic for the great charities we choose each year and we are so grateful for it.

If you are at Wizarding Weekend on Saturday before the costume contest, Daisy from Boys & Girls Aid will be talking about their org and all the good they do. We can’t wait to see you!

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Wizarding Weekend Schedule

Posted on July 9, 2026 | Leave a comment

You asked for it, and now we have it. This year’s Wizarding Weekend will be a bit different, as we’ll have some shorter hours on Sunday. **Please note that Way of the Wand has been moved from 5pm to 2pm on Saturday.**

Friday, July 24
Great Hall : open 5-9pm
Owl Letters & Pixie Hunt
Photo booth
Movie Trivia: 7:15pm
Diagon Alley, Knockturn & Hogsmeade: open 5-9pm

Saturday, July 25
Great Hall: open 11am-9pm
Owl Letters & Pixie Hunt
Photo booth

Way of the Wand: 2pm – moved from 5pm

Costume contests (kids & adults): 2:30pm
Book Trivia: 5:30pm
Wizard Bingo: 7:30pm
Diagon Alley, Knockturn & Hogsmeade: open 11am-7pm

Sunday, July 26
Great Hall: open 11am-4pm
Owl Letters & Pixie Hunt
Photo booth
Magic Mash-up Costume contest (kids & adults): 2pm **mash your favorite witch/wizard with a Muggle sport
Way of the Wand: 5pm
Diagon Alley, Knockturn & Hogsmeade: open 11am-4pm

This year Kennedy School will be showing a mix of magical movies throughout the weekend:
Wizard of Oz
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Labyrinth
Neverending Story
Wicked
The Dark Crystal
Where the Wild Things Are

Last year we tested out House meet-ups, which didn’t go over great, but we’re not ones to give up. Y’all asked for them, so we’re trying them again, with shorter sessions this time, so you don’t have to take too much time away from all your other activities. Stop into the Great Hall, take some pics with new friends, maybe team up for trivia, and then get back to finding your owls, shopping, or hitting up one of the movies playing all weekend.

We will be collecting school supplies for Boys and Girls Aid, which is committed to ensuring children and youth are able to build lifelong stability through connections to loving families, supportive adults, and nurturing environments. Harry didn’t have the best childhood before he came to Hogwarts and an organization like Boys and Girls Aid would have helped him immensely in finding a better placement for him than the Dursleys. We believe he would have founded a similar organization to help other orphaned children, because not everyone has a vault full of Galleons or a great family like the Weasleys to escape to.

We also have a special limited Wizarding Weekend design for our shirts/sweatshirts/crops and 2 different tote bags, which we haven’t had in the past. These will be available for order until July 31. If you purchase before the end of June, these will ship for wear before Wizarding Weekend. Proceeds from these items will benefit Boys & Girls Aid, which is why the price points are a bit more than our regular merch.

See you in a few weeks!

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Wizarding Weekend 2026 is Coming!

Posted on May 20, 2026 | Leave a comment

Mark your calendars, because Wizarding Weekend at McMenamin’s Kennedy School is coming this Summer. It’s three days of magic, Friday July 24-Sunday July 26. While we don’t have a schedule yet, here are some things you can look forward to:

Trivia – We run two different trivia sessions. Friday will feature Harry Potter movie trivia and Saturday will feature book trivia.

Costume contests – Saturday and Sunday will have costume contests for both children and adults. The top 3 winners will walk away with awesome prizes.

Last year we tried something new for our costume contest on Sunday and we’d love to continue it again this year. Magical Mashups will be different each year. Last year we did magical fandoms, combining a Harry Potter character and another magical character from another fandom. We had a great response from the kids, so this year we’re switching it up to Wizards in Muggle sports. Combine Harry Potter with a Muggle sport you think they would play. Get creative!

Magical shops – Because we don’t give any money back to the author, as we don’t agree with her views, we bring in local vendors to sell their wizardy wares! There will be three different rooms to browse – Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, and Knockturn Alley – with everything from wands to sweets to magical creatures. Vendors have sold out in the past, so make sure to plan accordingly. This is a great opportunity to pick up something special for yourself, or get a head start on holiday shopping and any upcoming birthdays on your list.

Photobooth – Get a shot of you and your friends/family in your best wizard attire (costumes not required, but highly encouraged) in front of our spellbinding backdrop. Props will be provided, if you want to use them.

Pixie scavenger hunt – Test your luck as a magizoologist or just a nature-lover, by scouring the halls of Kennedy School for escaped pixies! Digitally capture them on your muggle device and, after you’ve found each different type of pixie, share their portraits with a member SPEWW to win HOUSE POINTS! This year Pixies will be a bit harder to find, because we’re introducing Owl Letters. You’ll use clues given to you to find owls flying around Kennedy School with letters that you’ll unscramble to answer the day’s riddle. Friday & Saturday will have one answer and Sunday will have a separate answer, so you can play twice if you’re there all weekend.

Special Food & Drink – The House Elves of Kennedy School work hard to create a fun menu for the weekend. You can get their regular menu, too, but all bars and restaurants will serve a handful of Potter-inspired foods and drinks, including Butterbeer!

Movies – Usually, Kennedy School runs all 8 Harry Potter movies over the course of the weekend. This year, you’ll have a selection of other magical movies to choose from. They aren’t set in stone yet, so we can’t announce them here, but as soon as we know, we’ll update this post.

Games, House meet-ups, and charitable donations – Every Wizarding Weekend is a chance for us to give back to our amazing community in several ways. One is throwing this event with the help of Kennedy School to give everyone something free and fun to do during the summer. Another is by collecting school supplies (we also take money) for another local nonprofit to help kids in need. This year, we will be collecting for Boys & Girls Aid. Harry had a whole vault of gold left to him and was lucky enough to be able to escape to the Weasleys when living with the Dursleys was too much. We always feel that Harry would have set up an organization like Boys & Girls Aid to help orphaned and foster children get the support then need, for everyday life, school, and moving into their first apartment as an adult.

We will be adding some to-be-determined games into the weekend and also set up some times for House meet-ups where you can find other wizards and witches to connect with.

We also have a special limited Wizarding Weekend design for our shirts/sweatshirts/crops and 2 different tote bags, which we haven’t had in the past. These will be available for order until July 31. If you purchase before the end of June, these will ship for wear before Wizarding Weekend. Proceeds from these items will benefit Boys & Girls Aid, which is why the price points are a bit more than our regular merch.

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Yule Ball Thank Yous

Posted on December 6, 2025 | Leave a comment

Yule ball is always a labor of love and we couldn’t do it without everyone coming together for this one amazing event. We, personally, thank everyone who is part of this night, but this year, we want to go above and beyond and give a more intentional thank you to those involved.

We have hired these amazing professionals to make this night extra special (and you can, too):

DJ Switch PDX has been our DJ since our first Yule Ball. He plays a great mix of pop and nerd music that gets everyone on their feet. He is a wonderful supporter of SPEWW and as a Gryffindor, throws himself whole-heartedly into each event he does. You can see him at various events around town, but you can also hire him for your own event. Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch | Website

Daniela from No Rules Photography captured some of the most gorgeous photos of our 2023 Yule Ball and we’re so excited to have her back. She knew exactly what we wanted and gave us even more than we expected. You can hire her for weddings and other events. She has done some truly magical photo shoots, including LGBTQ+ engagement and wedding photography. Instagram | Facebook | Website

The Rose City Dancing Witches bring whimsy and witchcraft to every event they do and we are so proud to have them be part of the Yule Ball for several years. Each year they do two different performances to entertain our magical community and we love to see them return and also do performances around town the rest of the year. Facebook | Email

Of course, we have so much love for the Sheraton bar & catering staff. They work their brooms off to keep everyone moving through the buffet line, clearing tables, mixing drinks, and keeping us all hydrated during the dance. The hotel also gives us a special room rate, so those who have imbibed or danced too hard can stay the night. Instagram | Facebook | Website

Our raffle table in 2024

Our raffle is always a big part of the funds we bring in for our charity and this year a lot of really wonderful local artists, businesses and individuals stepped up to make this one of the biggest raffles we’ve ever had. If you didn’t win, want to purchase something directly from them, or want to follow them on socials, you can find them here:

Art of Jo Nicholson

Jo Nicholson has been one of our great vendors for Wizarding Weekend and we are thrilled to bring a few of her fun pieces to our Yule Ball raffle. She has witchy prints, stickers, and more. Instagram | Facebook | Etsy

Black Cat Frozen Custard

The newest witchy shop in town serves up delicious frozen custard creations in a spellbinding setting + has a secret speakeasy coffee shop where you can have your conspiratorial meetings. SPEWW can neither confirm nor deny having one of our own. Instagram | Website

Bunnies-N-More

Do you have an exotic animal that needs some care? Bunnies-N-More does mobile grooming, emergency care, pet sitting, and even animal education in your classroom, party, or event. Need your iguana’s nails clipped or someone to take amazing care of your rats while you’re away? This is where you go! Instagram | Facebook | Yelp | Website

Cascadia Roots

When you’re looking for small batch organic skin and body care products, Cascadia Roots has a variety of sprays and potions to suit you. From scrape and bug spray to nursing balm and calming spray, you can feel good about using these products made for the whole family. Instagram | Facebook | Website

The Freckled Lion Workshop

Geeks selling laser-cut decor and gaming accessories for other geeks. Whether you’re looking for coasters, ornaments, or a place to roll and display your dice during your latest D&D campaign, with your favorite fandom on it, The Freckled Lion Workshop might have just the thing. Facebook | Instagram | Website

Goddesses & Grimoires

We have had a working relationship with Goddesses & Grimoires for years and they never fail to impress with their spooky and witchy wares. Get you potions, wands, monster books, and everything in between. Instagram

Historical Conjurer

We all love magic and there’s nothing more magical than a Muggle magician, because they have to make you believe it’s real. Professor DR Schreiber does historical illusions and magic at events around the Portland area, including doing multiple shows per day at Clockwork Rose Tea Emporium’s annual Harry Potter tea. He’s available for private parties and other events you want to add a bit of enchantment to and also learn some History of Magic. Instagram | Facebook | Website

Hopscotch

Hopscotch Portland is a spellbinding interactive art museum with different rooms dedicated to different kinds of art, from large murals in a room the size of a warehouse to small rooms resembling a recording space where you play with colors to a glowing ball pit for all ages. There’s even a bar in the lobby. Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | LinkedIn | Website

The Macabre Father

Xander makes creepy, kooky, and nerdy plushes, cake boxes, cookie magnets and more, all to scratch the itch for your favorite fandom or vibe. They do a great trade at Wizarding Weekend with their plush House bats and multiple sizes of fuzzy Acromantulas. Instagram | Facebook | Website

McMenamins Kennedy School

As you may or may not know, Kennedy School hosts our Wizarding Weekend every year. This historical school-turned-hotel is one of Portland’s unique landmarks, with several bars and a restaurant on the premises. Guests love the quirky rooms and the soaking pool that can rival the Prefect’s bathroom. It’s also located in a great, quiet neighborhood and has a ton of parking, which can be rare other places in the city. Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Website

Misplaced Magical Creatures

Are you looking to adopt a Fantastic Beast all your own? Perhaps a Bowtruckle for your tree or favorite houseplant or a colorful Pygmy Puff to match your House or personality. Jenna conjures them all and fosters them until they are ready to go to their new magical homes. We’re lucky that Misplaced Magical Creatures only vends one show per year and that happens to be Wizarding Weekend. Instagram | TikTok | Etsy

My Journal City

Write down your innermost secrets, new spells, or travel memories in one of Kevin’s journals made from repurposed materials. Choose from vintage book covers, movie box art, and all your other favorite iconic pieces of pop culture. Facebook

¿Por Qué No? Taqueria

We don’t know about your House Elves, but the ones at school don’t make tacos or other Mexican food. Probably because they’ve never had it. If you want drinks and eats just as good as an elf could have made it, ¿Por Qué No? is the place to go. Indulge in brunch, Taco Tuesdays, and even holiday tamale orders. Instagram | Facebook | Website

Raven’s Manor

If spooky settings and creative food and drinks are your cup of Butterbeer, then Raven’s Manor has a seat for you. The dark, creepy vibes are only made better by cocktails that come in a lantern or a trio of screaming beignet ghosts. The menu changes to match the haunted feel of every season. Instagram | Facebook | Website

RoseCraft Accessories

You might be looking for a new creature to add to your family or helpful household items, like hot pads or kitchen towels promoting your favorite fandom or team. RoseCraft may be a bit hard to find, but they are worth the search or wait for the next craft fair they Apparate to. Facebook

Rushing’s Rarities

Searchers of spooky prop replicas, potion labels, magical accessories, and wooden signs will find them at Rushing’s Rarities. Mummified hands, spell components, handmade wands are just some of the things that you’ll find in their store and craft fairs around town. They’ll even work with you to make something customized. Instagram | Facebook | Website

Secret Dragon Collectibles

Secret Dragon Collectibles adopts out their handmade beaded dragons and magical accessories like these flying keys. If you’ve been to Wizarding Weekend, you’ve likely oohed and aahed over their elaborate and colorful dragons. You may have even taken one home. Instagram | Facebook |Website

Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel

Sheraton has been our Yule Ball venue for 3 years now and we couldn’t be happier with the staff, space, catering, and rooms. Not only does it offer tons of parking and space for our partying, they have great ideas for Yule Ball, and offer our guests a special discount on rooms. Instagram | Facebook | Website

Shereen Travels Cheap

Shereen runs a budget travel blog where she gives advice on how to travel more affordably for adults who aren’t willing to sleep in hostels or on people’s couches. She reviews travel items and destinations, while giving practical tips to do more while spending less. Instagram | Facebook | Website

The Sparkly Stitcher

Decorate your home with beautiful geeky cross-stitch of all sizes. Get a tiny Deathly Hallows stitch or a large piece for your Dr. Who loving heart. You’ll find them at craft fairs across the metro area or you can request a custom piece for commission. Instagram

Stargazer’s Gourmet

One of our favorite sweets makers, Stargazer’s Gourmet is known for their handmade small-batch fudge in amazing flavors, including those inspired by the Wizarding World. You can also find some of those sweets you might find in Honeydukes, so you can live your wizard candy dreams. Instagram | Facebook | Website

VDX Designs

If you’re looking for quality woodwork with your favorite fandom, VDX Designs makes it. From laser-etched dungeon master screens to shields to wooden ornaments, you’re likely to find everything for the geeks on your list or yourself. Instagram | Facebook | Etsy

Westside Comic Con

Hillsboro is getting its own Con in 2026. We’re thrilled to be part of their inaugural year and are excited to see the west side getting a new way for people to engage with the community and another reason to perfect those cosplays. We’re looking forward to more artists, vendors, nerds, fandom, and more! Instagram | Facebook | Website

We also have to say a giant thank you to all the volunteers that help us set up, run the Yule Ball, and tear down at the end of a long night. We truly couldn’t do any of it without them ♥

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Get Ready to Dance the Night Away

Posted on September 14, 2025 | Leave a comment

Yule Ball tickets have gone on sale and we have a theme this year! Yes, yule is its own theme, but this year we’ll be adding dragons! Since we have our virtual Triwizard Tournament leading up to the Ball, we wanted to also bring that to our decor. That means if you are buying a Champion’s Feast ticket, you can choose a specific dragon-named table to sit at.

Unlike the dragons in the Tournament, our dragons will be free-range, much smaller, and won’t set you on fire.

Again, tickets for Yule Ball are $45 for Generally Magical tickets & $105 for Champion’s Feast tickets (this includes a buffet dinner + swag) and can be purchased here.

This event is 21 and over, an excuse to dress up in your wizarding best (or Muggle best), drink some adult Butterbeer (or other themed beverages), and dance with your fellow nerds. Come stag, bring your significant other, or come in a group. Everyone is welcome and people make new friends every year. It takes place at the Portland Airport Sheraton and will have some fantastic raffle prizes as well.

We also always look for volunteers for this event. If you volunteer, you get free general entry to the Ball. We need help setting up, tearing down, running the raffle table, and checking people in. Last year, we were blessed with so many great volunteers who worked their magic to set up so much more quickly than we have set up in the past. We would love to have you for 2025. You can sign up to be a volunteer on this form if you haven’t volunteered with us before. If you have, we’ll be sending out emails mid- to late-October.

Stay tuned for our menu. In the meantime, here’s a link for special room discount if you’d like to stay at the Sheraton. We can’t wait to see you at the Ball!

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Wizarding Weekend Wrap-Up

Posted on August 12, 2025 | Leave a comment

2025 Wizarding Weekend was bit quieter than usual, but we were lucky to have a steady stream of magical people come through McMenamin’s Kennedy School to play trivia and bingo, hunt for Pixies, enter our costume contests, and shop our awesome vendors.

We tried some new things this year and some went well and some might need another year to get going. Our Sunday Magical Mash-Up Costume Contest was a hit with the kids who entered. Of course, we allowed everyone’s magical costumes to enter, but we had a large percentage of children who took the challenge.

Our try at doing House meet-ups wasn’t that popular, but we also didn’t do much in the way of announcements, so we will try again next year, and maybe add some other meet-ups into the mix, and hope we do more in the way of letting people know they are happening.

Another new thing we did this year was incorporating Way of the Wand into our programming. We had a small, but enthusiastic group of children learning to do wand techniques and move around. We did this on Sunday evening, which might not be the most ideal time to do it. In 2026 we may try to move this to Friday evening and/or Sunday morning.

We were blessed with some awesome volunteers who were willing to jump right in and help wherever needed, including hosting our Saturday costume contest.

As always, we threw this whole weekend for charity. We collected school supplies and raised funds for Rose Haven day shelter for women. People turned out with bags and boxes of supplies. We had some witches come with adorable House-themed supply bags and another couple come with two backpacks that they said was filled with one of everything on the list we posted. We love this community! At the end of the weekend, we had an entire car filled with backpacks and supplies that will be donated next week, along with a check from SPEWW for $3200, to Rose Haven. We are so proud to do this for those in need and hope it helps their school year start off better than it would have otherwise.

Thank you to everyone who came to Wizarding Weekend to make it the success it was. We are always honored to have such wonderful people engaging with our events and helping to make life better for those less fortunate than us. Harry was lucky to have a vault full of gold and a second home at Hogwarts and we know for certain that he would do his best to put that money to good use in the real world. He may not be able to do that, but we are proud to do it in his name, while having a great time with new and old magical friends, drinking Butterbeer, and also supporting artists from our community.

We can’t wait to do this again in 2026. Next up, Rose City Comic Con!

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Announcing 2025 Wizarding Weekend’s Charity Partner

Posted on June 6, 2025 | 2 comments

UPDATED LIST as of 6/19

Great news! This year for Wizarding Weekend, our charity partner will be Rose Haven, a day shelter and community center for women, children, and gender non-conforming folx experiencing houselessness. They help by giving them a safe place to shower and create community, have a meal, get much needed clothing in order to find employment, give them a mailing address, and help with other social services.

We’ve worked with Rose Haven before and feel like they do very important work. We were lucky enough to take a tour and meet some of the lovely women who work there and learn about everything they do. You can donate all year to them. They have a list of items they need most that they update regularly on their website.

We’ll be collecting school supplies for the children. What we know they need so far:

  • Backpacks
  • Boxes of 10 Crayola brand fine tip markers
  • Boxes of 24 Crayola colored pencils, sharpened
  • Packages of wide ruled loose leaf paper with punched holes
  • Spiral bound notebooks
  • Pencil pouches
  • Pencil sharpeners
  • 12 ct Sharpie chisel highlighters
  • 24 or 16 ct Crayola crayons
  • 12 ct Crayola washable markers
  • No 2 pencils
  • Kids safety scissors (round point)
  • Plastic rulers
  • Elmer’s purple glue sticks
  • Elmer’s liquid glue
  • Composition notebooks
  • Graph paper composition notebooks
  • Ruled 3×5 notecards
  • Bic stick grip xtra comfort ballpoint pens (blue or black)
  • Bic brite liner chisel tip highlighters (yellow)

As always, with each donation, you’ll receive House Points and they will be added to points given for our Pixie Hunt and other activities. The winning House will be announced at the end of Sunday and we will post it on our socials.

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Tickets on Sale for 2024 Yule Ball – Don’t Miss Out!

Posted on October 5, 2024 | Leave a comment

The wizard activists of PDXpelliarmus are excited to invite you to the 2024 Yule Ball, on December 14th, 2024! The Yule Ball is an enchanted evening of well-mannered frivolity, celebrating our magical community, and doing some good in the world! Every year, Yule Ball gets more magical and we see a lot of familiar faces and love meeting new ones. We’d love to see you there. Tickets are on sale now, and you can purchase them here:

https://pdxhpa.betterworld.org/events/2024-yule-ball

Generally Magical tickets are $45. Champion’s Feast tickets are $105.

The Yule Ball is first and foremost, a dance! There will be music, themed cocktails, an expansive raffle, and a photo booth so you can capture the magic of the evening.

Wizarding attire or formalwear are strongly encouraged, and muggle street clothes may be subject to transfiguration. This event will be 21+, with NO underage wizards allowed.

Before the dance begins, we will be hosting the Champion’s Feast! Champion’s Feast tickets come with dinner, magical swag, and a seat at a table in the ballroom. Each table is named after a location in the Wizarding World so when you purchase your tables, your party can plan to sit together.

Got a whole Quidditch Team to bring? A limited number of whole tables are also available. Whole tables include eight Champion’s Feast tickets, as well as the option to name your table and decide where in the ballroom it will be located. Champion’s Feast Whole Tables are $850.

In the weeks leading up to the Ball, all guests will be challenged to participate in the Triwizard Tournament, a real-world competition designed to test your bravery, cunning, determination, and creativity. The winner of the Triwizard Tournament will receive a special award at the Ball!

This year, the Yule Ball is returning to the Mt. Hood Ballroom at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel. (An airport is a location where muggles gather to ride in large dragon-like flying machines, as they lack portkeys and broomsticks.) This venue features its own entrance, with bountiful and free parking, and lots of room for us to spread out in! Guests who like to dance into the wee hours will also be able to get discounted rooms at the hotel, so you won’t need to worry about apparition accidents or overcrowded Knight Buses. Returning to the same venue is also giving us the chance to really lean into transforming the space to make it as magical as possible. Expect some new wonders this year!

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