Diagon Alley:Woodmere’s Wizarding Market
September 14–October 28
Fridays, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Sundays, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Families welcome; ages 4–11 with adults $8 per child ($6 members); $20 for families of three or more ($18 members)
Opening Celebration: Friday, September 14, 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Free
Woodmere is pleased to have Peter Everett Brown once again as the creative designer behind Woodmere’s 2012 Straw Maze. Brown, who designed last year’s maze – The Owl’s Eye – lives in Fort Washington.
He is an award winning project designer that has collaborated with many architectural firms in the region and was instrumental in the design of numerous local buildings and landmarks including: The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, The Caring Center in Powelton Village, WHYY Broadcast HQ in Center City and a new private residence in Chestnut Hill.
The theme for the 2012 maze comes out of the Harry Potter series. Diagon Alley is a cobbled wizarding alley and shopping area located in London, England behind a pub called the Leaky Cauldron. Inside the alley is an assortment of shops where wands, charms, and all items on the Hogwarts supply list can be bought. Visitors to Woodmere’s Diagon Alley will find everything a wizard needs to cast spells.
Peter Brown incorporated 80 enormous 850 lb. bales into concentric squares, nesting one inside the other. Using bales twenty times the size of the 2011 maze, offered new design opportunities as well as durability. At the perimeter, bales are stacked to create post and lintel portals for access to magic markets. Beyond the portals is another square called the “commitment wall” – a diaphanous honeycomb wall of straw bales intended to challenge the visitor. At the center of the maze resides a mystical red sphere. Seek-and-find activities guide visitors through the maze.
Magical art-making activities
Fridays (6:00-7:00 p.m.) and Saturdays (2:00-4:00 p.m.) | Free
October 26–28
Harry Potter Weekend: Tri-Wizard Tournament, Magic Wands, and Treats from the Trolley:
Enjoy an enchanting weekend with Harry Potter inspired activities and our Diagon Alley Straw Maze for Chestnut Hill’s Harry Potter Weekend. Wander through Diagon Alley, the marketplace for all magical needs in the world of Harry Potter:
Death Eaters on the Loose: Wizards and witches no longer feel safe wandering out in public. “Wanted” posters with the faces of Death Eaters are displayed throughout the maze.
Wand Making: Children make wands and use their magic to fight the dark powers of Voldemort. Friday: 6-7 pm; Saturday: 2-4 pm; Sunday: 2-4 pm (tentative)
Mini Tri-Wizard Tournament: This magical contest is designed to test magical ability, intelligence and courage. Winners choose from Treats from the Trolley.
Treats from the Trolley: Assorted candy concoctions include Blood pops, Bubbling Beverages, Chocolate Cauldrons, Cockroach Clusters, Every Flavor Jelly Beans, Jumping Snakes, Jelly Slugs, Toothburners, and more!
2012 Straw Maze Installation Video
