Harry Potter still has life at MOSI camp

After seven books and eight blockbuster movies, hardcore Harry Potter fans might have one more mystery to unravel.

The Museum of Science and Industry will reveal the secrets of Diagon Alley to worthy wizards that participate in the Harry Potter inspired Winter Overnight Festival. Families will get the opportunity to feel what it is like to be Hermoine, Ron and Harry arriving at Hogwarts.

The festivities commence at 6 p.m. Saturday with participants being sorted into houses by the sorting hat and then a feast will follow.

"We want to make this as immersive as possible," said Anthony Pelaez, MOSI's director of education. "From the feast to playing in Quidditch tournaments participants in the camp are treated as if they are students at Hogwarts."

During the remainder of the overnight festival, attendees will get the sense that they are venturing into Diagon Alley, where potions and wands will be made; there will be magical carnival games, a Zonko's Joke Shop to venture into and a Quidditch Cup Tournament.

There will be treats Hogwarts students regularly enjoy such as butterbeer and cadies often sold on the Hogwarts Express available.

Tim Hill, Manager of Interpretive and Outreach Programs at MOSI, said MOSI started hosting Harry Potter themed camps even before the movies started coming out. Prior to the Harry Potter inspired camps, there was a science of magic camp that was similar to the wizarding camps that take place now.

"When the (Harry Potter) books came out about kids learning magic at a school the books gave us a different inspiration," Hill said.

"Everything we do still has a science twist to it, but it's all disguised," said Pelaez.

In fact, during the camp, which ends at 10 a.m. Sunday, participants will learn real magic tricks and the secrets behind them.

Typically, these Harry Potter camps have about 300 participants but registration has been slower than usual.

Hill and Pelaez said it might be because the last movie was already released.

"Even though the movies and books are over it doesn't mean the books can't be enjoyed for generations to come," said Pelaez.

Which is why, this camp is also taking a different approach in what will be offered. Hill said in the past, the camp has played the movies or there have been book readings.

But he said this overnight festival will be more interactive and will involve the solving of a mystery.

"We are trying to capture the real die hard fans to help them keep Harry Potter alive," said Pelaez.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Harry Potter inspired Winter Overnight Festival

WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday through 10 a.m. Sunday

WHERE: MOSI, 4801 East Fowler Ave., Tampa

COST: $105 parent-child team, $60 per additional child; $79 MOSI member parent-child team, $45 per additional child

INFO: (813) 987-6000 or visit www.mosi.org