Downtown Okotoks will be transformed into a magical world this weekend.

The first ever Wizarding World of Okotoks, modeled after the world of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and presented by the Okotoks Arts Council, takes place in town Saturday

Event chair Katie Fournell says they've had a great response from local businesses who have been conjuring up creative ways to participate.

"Basically, the event is a transformation of the town into the Wizarding World of Okotoks, which is themed off of the Harry Potter universe," Fournell explains. "All of the businesses are getting really into it, so we're going to have 41 different stops that people can go to during the day to see some free events and some paid events as well."

Thirty businesses are participating and there are 11 additional locations downtown where events will take place.

"One thing that lots of people are excited about is we are going to have Hogsmeade, which is a Harry Potter craft sale," she says. "A whole bunch of local vendors who make handmade products have made themed products for the day and those will all be in our Hogsmeade area which is at the Elks Hall."

The event will also feature an aerial and tumbling show as well as performances by a magician, a storyteller, dancers and singers. Fournell says visitors will also have the chance to send friends and family to Azkaban, the magical prison from the Harry Potter series.

"We have Azkaban, which is something that I'm very excited about," she says. "You can pay a dollar per minute to our aurors who will be running around at the event, to have your friends arrested and sent to our Azkaban jail. They can either serve their time or they can pay a dollar per minute to make bail and get out before they have to go and spend time to our Azkaban dementors."

Fournell notes that the Wizarding World of Okotoks will help support local artists by raising funds for the Okotoks Arts Council.

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