From July 27 to 31, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is coming to Orange as local businesses break out wands, butterbeer and more magical items in celebration of the titular wizard’s birthday.

Held in 2019 and 2021 at the White Cloud Diner, owner Jennifer Sheldon wanted to invite neighboring businesses to join in on the event in an effort to spread the wealth of visitors.

“It was a really big hit, we had people that came from all over … it was far more popular than we ever anticipated,” Sheldon said. “We thought, how wonderful would it be for the town itself if we could make this throughout the area and have other businesses involved.”

What started as something fun for Sheldon to do with her daughter, Tori Bianco, has turned into a five-day celebration of the book series, which culminates in an already sold-out Hogwarts Ball at the Revival Wheeler Mansion to celebrate Harry Potter’s 41st birthday on July 31 (the fictional Potter was born in 1980).

“My daughter Tori and I are big Harry Potter fans,” Sheldon said, adding that it was her mom, who died in 2013, that got both of them into the series. “On top of our love of the story itself, it gives me and my daughter a connection to my mother.”

Over the course of this year’s five-day event, 10 local businesses will turn themselves into versions of locations from the series, offering special Harry Potter-themed activities at businesses like the Within Wellness yoga studio, which will transform into the Room of Requirement and offer a Defense Against the Dark Arts yoga course.

“All of these businesses are really getting into what their stop is going to be,” Sheldon said. “We’re trying to do it so it’s all around town so it really just draws in a crowd.”

At the Trail Head Outfitters General Store, owner Stephanie Cook is bringing in all sorts of “really large props” to turn the store into the Forbidden Forest, while the cafe will be serving Potter-themed specials and Sorting Hat cupcakes.

“We have a really large spider coming and a really, really large tree, which will be the Whomping Willow,” Cook said. “It’s gonna feel like you’re walking into the woods.”Cook recently got into the series and this event is great for Orange and its businesses.

At the White Cloud Diner, customers can order the Sorting Hat pancake, which tells you the Hogwarts House you belong to based on the color of MM’s in the middle. The diner will be decked out in decorations and on July 28 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., local bird rehabilitator Tom Ricardi will host a live owl presentation.

“It really is an immersive experience,” Sheldon said. “It’s fun for all.”

Sheldon said Return to Hogwarts is an opportunity to experience some of the magic of Harry Potter without having to travel to a theme park.

“It’s a great family experience for people who can’t go all the way to Universal in Florida,” Sheldon said, adding that families will have plenty of free photo opportunities.

Return to Hogwarts will be held from July 27 to July 31. A map of participating businesses and a calendar of special events can be found on the White Cloud Diner’s Facebook page or through this link: https://bit.ly/3aqvvBs. The Hogwarts Ball is sold out, but potion making and basic crystal and wand mastery class tickets can be purchased here: https://bit.ly/3OMxIWR.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.