09/27/2026
This is our 3rd year doing seasonal community events that are free to the community…and as someone who thrives in chaos — they are undoubtedly the most:
Physically, emotionally and mentally exhausting.
And yet — we keep doing them.
Not because of any sort of money — after the hundreds of hours of marketing, labor, production, art, design, coordination, materials, unforeseen circumstances and last minute changes and stresses — it’s a labor of love in the end. 😂
So why? WHY do we do this to ourselves??
Because today, I saw a kid run off the stage after getting sorted into his Wizarding House yelling “THIS IS THE COOLEST THING EVER! IM A RAVENCLAW!”
I saw adults fully costumed and dancing like no one was watching.
I saw people waiting in a line to make wands and potions for a LOOOONG time — with smiles on their faces every time a kid ran out with a crazy looking wand.
I saw families laughing and taking pictures that I know will live on forever.
Parents were BEAMING as their kids were sorted into their houses.
Kids were cracking up as the Sanderson Sisters heckled them. (They were incredible, by the way)
For even just a moment — there’s magic.
It’s connection.
Of course, not everyone will be happy about something or find things to nitpick at — but overall, it’s magic.
There’s magic in community. And connecting people is the root of it all.
Thanks for making our second Forest of Shadows even bigger and MORE magical than we could’ve ever hoped for.
To those who came and danced and sang and laughed and let their inner child out — thank you. You’re the reason we keep coming back. ❤️🥹✨
