14/11/2011

Issued by National Railway Museum

Wannabe witches and wizards are encouraged to prep their broomsticks for the National Railway Museum's February half term event next year which will welcome the return of the popular family event, Wizard Week.

An enchanting spell will be cast over the Museum from 11 - 19 February 2012 with witches and wizards flying in from miles around to enjoy the nine day Wizard Week celebrations. The main attraction of the event is set to be the steam star from the Harry Potter movies, Olton Hall, providing visitors with a rare opportunity to get up close to this rail celebrity.

For the very first time, event attendees will be in with a chance of winning a magical prize by donning wicked costumes and entering the ‘Best Dressed Wizard' competition. Wannabe wizards and witches will be encouraged to get snap-happy at the event and upload pictures of themselves in magical costumes onto the Museum's Facebook page - www.facebook.com/nationalrailwaymuseum. The photos will be judged by a panel of National Railway Museum staff, plus a special guest judge from the world of magic, with the winner being awarded a money-can't-buy prize which will be revealed in the New Year.
Rose Lindsay Smith, Public Programmes Coordinator at the National Railway Museum, said:

"Last year's event was very popular attracting over 50,000 visitors to the nine day event. This year we're conjuring up an even more magical event with broomstick flying through the trickery of green screen technology, owl displays, craft activities, and daily wizard performances. We're looking forward to seeing our visitors get in the magical spirit by transforming themselves into witches and wizards and we're sure the event will be a huge hit with magic folk of all ages".

New to the February half term event is the chance for visitors to jump on a broomstick and see themselves flying through the magic of green screen technology. A cauldron load of other hocus-pocus is also being planned including daily wizard duels, beautiful owl displays and craft activities to reveal your inner wizard by making your own wizard ID badge. The action-packed science shows will also be given a magical twist with the Museum's resident witches and wizards demonstrating the ‘science of magic'.

Admission to the National Railway Museum is free. Wizard duels, owl displays and science shows are all free with a small charge for craft activities and broomstick flying. Further information about the event can be found at www.nrm.org.uk/wizardweek .

ENDS