There's magic in the air as excitement builds for the Okotoks Art Council's first-ever Wizarding World of Okotoks event.

Downtown businesses will be magically transformed to transport visitors to the world of Harry Potter, and the Town of Okotoks is also planning to be part of the fun in a variety of ways.

Town of Okotoks Community Services Director Susan Laurin says they've waived the special events fee for the event and will provide use of the Town's special events equipment, such as vests, barricades and garbage and recycling bins. The Town will also help with volunteer recruitment and will provide assistance from the community events specialist.

Laurin explains that the Town is excited to be part of the Wizarding World of Okotoks, which will help bring people downtown and encourage visitors to participate in a variety of family-friendly activities geared to different age groups.

"What's really exciting, and how the Town is going to be involved on the day of, is we're going to turn the platform at the Okotoks Art Gallery into Station Nine and Three-Quarters and council chambers is going to be turned into the Ministry of Magic," she says.

Ethel Tucker park will be host to a tournament of Quidditch, the wizarding sport created by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. Councillors have agreed to jump on board that day by selecting a magical ministry to represent and Laurin adds that there are also plans to show the first two Harry Potter movies in council chambers as well.

"What's really coincidental is that there are seven ministers in the Ministry of Magic and we just happen to have seven people on council," she says. "So we've asked all of the existing council to be the Ministers of Magic."

The Wizarding World of Okotoks is set for Saturday, October 28.

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