Jonathan Chambers knew he wanted to make a splash for HalloweenOpens in a new tab and ChristmasOpens in a new tab with a big attraction of sorts people could visit, and his 7-year-old daughter Avery came up with the perfect idea: a replica of Diagon AlleyOpens in a new tab from Harry PotterOpens in a new tab. Chambers was inspired and pulled some DumbledoreOpens in a new tab level magic to build Diagon Alley in his Seattle neighborhood driveway. And when I say build, I don’t mean he put up a few cardboard storefront facades and called it a day. He pushed his sickles all in and spent 17 days recreating the first magical location Harry ever saw.
That is not a movie set. It’s in a driveway. I am impressed.
As reported by MashableOpens in a new tab, Chambers pre-planned and put pencil to paper to complete drawn sketches of his vision. He made six storefronts, including Flourish and Blotts and Ollivanders, using donated materials and his own money. By the time he opened Diagon Alley on Halloween, the hype was real. Approximately 2,000 people have already visited. Two thousand.
Look at the early stages of the project:
https://twitter.com/iheartagile/status/923680410332041216
And the finished product:
https://twitter.com/AnneBeanTweets/status/925496235817017345
Thank you, @dummaloopOpens in a new tab for opening your home & for sharing #diagonalleyprojectOpens in a new tab w/the #SeattleOpens in a new tab community! #HarryPotterOpens in a new tab #HappyHalloweenOpens in a new tab pic.twitter.com/VOjoZm5JVxOpens in a new tab
— AmycusBrief (@AmycusBrief) November 1, 2017Opens in a new tab
Yer a Wizard, Harry 🤓🦉⚡️#diagonalleyprojectOpens in a new tab @dummaloopOpens in a new tab #seattleOpens in a new tab #ballardOpens in a new tab #pnwOpens in a new tab pic.twitter.com/m2BQHvPjnWOpens in a new tab
— Natasha Borromeo Reals (@SaucyTashy) November 5, 2017Opens in a new tab
@SeattleFireOpens in a new tab showed up at #diagonalleyprojectOpens in a new tab and I thought I was being shut down. No, they just came to geek out. Photos by @iheartagile pic.twitter.com/ilKGRrXk4TOpens in a new tab
— Jonathan Chambers (@dummaloop) November 3, 2017Opens in a new tab
It’s like a mini Wizarding WorldOpens in a new tab! In a world filled with trying news, it’s wonderful to see a community come together for a joyful escape.
If you’re near the Ballard neighborhood area of Seattle and want to visit Diagon Alley, you have until Christmas. You can get details at the Project Diagon Alley websiteOpens in a new tab and learn about how they’re using the project to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research.
Are you feeling inspired to recreate a Harry Potter set in your driveway? Which one would you choose? Flick and swish to leave your thoughts in the comments!
Featured Image: Jonathan Chambers/MashableOpens in a new tab
Use your wand to summon more Harry Potter stories!
- 9,000 Harry Potter fans took overOpens in a new tab a small Canadian town.
- This animal shelter sorted its dogs into Hogwarts housesOpens in a new tab.
- The Hogwarts Express rescued a familyOpens in a new tab IRL.
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