More than 20 years ago, Craig and Melanie Brimhall of Grottoes began hosting Harry Potter parties for their children and friends at their home.
“Because we were all fans,” Craig Brimhall said.
Their daughter, Heather, was 11 years old when Harry Potter was in the first film.
“So, they grew up together,” said Melanie Brimhall.
Forty fans came to the first party.
“And it has just been with us since,” she said, referring to the couple’s tradition of dressing up and participating in Staunton‘s Queen City Mischief & Magic.
Eighty volunteers are signed up to dress up in costumes as characters from the movies, including individuals who represent the different ages of Harry Potter.
On the morning of Saturday, Sept. 28, the Brimhalls will ride the train into Staunton dressed as Dumbledore and Professor Minerva McGonagall, costumes made by Melanie. She expressed grief Friday afternoon after the death of Dame Maggie Smith, who portrayed McGonagall in the movies and who died Friday morning in London.
After the train ride, all 80 “staff” will set up at different locations in downtown.
Shane Eppard of Staunton will be dressed as Professor Quirrell, the first professor of the dark arts. He also helped make the dragon that will be in the bank to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, and QCMM’s theme for 2024.
“I think the most rewarding thing is seeing this community come together,” Eppard said of the weekend’s events.
Melanie Brimhall said a fundraiser throughout the weekend will be dragon pins available for purchase for $15 each by the merchant’s tent near the intersection of West Beverley and North Augusta streets.
“The characters are trying to be self-sustaining,” Melanie Brimhall said of the fundraiser. The Brimhalls typically spend $1,000 to $2,000 each year in preparation of QCMM. The fundraiser is a way to give back to the “staff” volunteers.
Throughout the weekend, visitors who buy a dragon pin can find a staff character who will give them a special gift to add to their dragon pin: a pin that represents their specific character.
“I’m excited about the number of characters we have [this year],” Eppard said.
Melanie Brimhall also makes wands and will have 2,000 to sell this weekend to also raise funds.
A sold-out feast at Trinity Episcopal Church Saturday night is organized by the Brimhalls, and seven “staff” volunteers will appear to perform a skit. The feast is a recreation of the Great Hall feast in “Harry Potter” and raises funds for Trinity’s Honduras mission trip.
A full schedule of QCMM events is available online.
Related stories:
Staunton: Queen City Mischief & Magic creates weekend escape (augustafreepress.com)
Staunton: Queen City Mischief & Magic races raise funding for Blue Ridge CASA (augustafreepress.com)
Staunton: Magic of Queen City Mischief & Magic not felt by LGBTQ community (augustafreepress.com)
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Rebecca Barnabi
