After an absence in 2020, Atglen Public Library (APL) will again host its Di-Atglen Alley Wizard Faire on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 121 Main St., Atglen. The event, which will feature live entertainment, children's activities and shopping, is open to people of all ages, and attendees are encouraged to dress in costume. There is no admission fee, and most of the activities are free.

According to APL trustee Erin Metzler, one of the event organizers, the Faire is a celebration of wizard-themed fantasy literature. "Di-Atglen Alley is a spoof of Diagon Alley, a wizarding shopping district in London from the popular book series," she said, adding, "Even if you are not a diehard fan, you will still have a fantastic time."

Upon arrival, attendees will receive a program detailing the activities. "We have a grand entryway with a greeter who hands out the programs. The program has our sponsors' information included and it tells people everything there is to do at the festival," Metzler said.

The Faire will include a Wizard Academy, where youths can take a potions class to make slime, and transfiguration, where they can make crafts. There will be various booths, as well as bounce houses and face painting.

In Di-Atglen Alley, shoppers will find vendors selling wands, butter beer and other magic-related wares. The centerpiece of the Faire will be the stage, which will feature a live owl show by Dawn White from Indian Run Environmental Education Center and "Magic With Professor Snape." New this year will be dance performances by Andrea's School of Dance and live music by the Dtown Ukesters.

There will be a costume contest at 1 p.m., and free trivia games about the Harry Potter book series.

New this year is the Cursed Object Quest, a combination of a scavenger hunt and escape room. "The only thing that we can't do this year that we have done in the past is the escape room, which is usually hosted in borough hall. We created a modified event instead of the espape room," Metzler explained. "It's a souped-up scavenger hunt."

Instead of a list of items to find, players will receive a clue sheet with various puzzles and riddles to solve that direct them to locations around the festival site. The activity is geared toward groups. There will be no instructions, and players will have to figure things out on their own. A nominal fee will be charged per person age 5 and over to participate.

As an alternative, a free scavenger hunt will also be offered.

Metzler emphasized that the Faire is a great family-friendly way to spend the day. "There are so many fun things to do at the Faire that are free for everybody. It is important to us as a public library," Metzler said. "We don't want anyone to feel excluded because they can't afford to (participate)."

For more information about the Di-Atglen Alley Wizard Faire, call APL at 610-593-6848 or visit http://www.facebook.com/DiAtglenAlley or http://www.atglenpubliclibrary.org and click on the Faire logo.