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 who participate in the Harry Potter-inspired Winter Overnight Festival. Families will get the opportunity to experience what it's like to be Hermoine, Ron and Harry arriving at Hogwarts.

The festivities commence at 6 p.m. Saturday, when participants will be assigned to Hogwarts houses by the Sorting Hat and 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, visitors will get the sense that they are venturing into Diagon Alley, where potions and wands will be made and magical carnival games will entertain. Wizards and muggles also can venture into a Zonko's Joke Shop and enjoy a Quidditch Cup Tournament.

There will be treats Hogwarts that students regularly enjoy, such as butterbeer and candies sold on the Hogwarts Express.

Tim Hill, manager of MOSI's Interpretive and Outreach Programs, said the science museum began hosting Harry Potter-themed camps before the movies started coming out. Before that, there was a science of magic camp similar to the wizarding camps offered 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, the museum's Harry Potter camps have about 300 participants, but registration has been slower than usual. Hill and Pelaez said that might be because the last movie was released last summer.

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

This weekend's festival will be more interactive and will involve solving a mystery.

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