Good Godric Griffyndor! It's a Harry Potter Party!

CINCINNATI - The promotional signs are everywhere carrying the slogan, “It All Ends”, and very soon, the sensational Harry Potter movies series will end. But not before millions of “Muggles” pour into theaters to see if indeed Harry and company can overcome evil and the snake of a man in Lord Voldemort.

The series has had a huge impact on hoards of kids, teens and yes, even adults. From lining up to get the latest book installment to midnight showings of the final film, the series has an intensely allegiant audience to rival Star Wars.

So, to bid the wizarding world adieu, why not plan a party? I know our household is preparing for the final days before the final film with such anticipation (and sadness) that those who don’t love the series as my children and I do can’t help but roll their eyes when we talk about it.

The party will span two days and nights and, I’m sure, be filled with plenty of food, fun and magic.

THE MOVIE MARATHON

Someone did the math, and I’m counting on the fact that they are correct, but if you watch all seven Harry Potter movies that are currently out on DVD, it would take something like 1,046 minutes, or 17 hours. Now, I know we are die-hard fans, but 17 hours in one day just isn’t going to happen.

So our marathon will be spread over two days. Wednesday early evening we will watch the first three movies. The next day, the final four movies will grace the screen. That night will be our big “Sorting Hat Feast” and accompanying each movie will be plenty of Potter-inspired foods to fill our faces.

Of course. Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans are a must (you can purchase these at plenty of stores, but watch out for the bogie and vomit flavored beans, they are truly disgusting). Chocolate Frogs (which we made from chocolate molds) make the list as does something I’m calling Corny-elius’ Fudge Corn. It’s popcorn mixed with melted chocolate chips and is delightful (for those who don’t like to cook, go buy “moose munch” or other chocolate covered popcorn and give yourself a break).

Thursday’s all-day marathon will feature multiple snacks, such as treacle tarts , pumpkin pasties , licorice wands , cauldron cakes (read on for recipe), cockroach clusters, rock cakes and ton tongue toffee . Yikes, that’s a lot of butter and sugar. So to balance all the treats, we have our big dinner spread (the Sorting Hat feast).

For that, we are making fried chicken legs (look at the first movie, it’s on the feast table), mashed potatoes, corn, broccoli (yes, look at the feast table) and Cornish Pasties (reportedly one of Harry’s favorites) and finally my husband’s favorite (and many wizards, I’m certain) Yorkshire Pudding . Of course the food will be triumphantly positioned on silver platters and cake plates, surrounded by silver goblets, wands we’ve collected over the years and our own sorting hat.

The piece de resistance is, no doubt, the Butterbeer. Since we recently went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando and tasted their version (which we now believe is official), we feel we have this one down. At the park, they serve it “frozen” (like a pina colada) or chilled. Here’s how we’re making our brew:
Mix I.C.B. Cream Soda with butterscotch syrup, blend with ice in a blender. Pour into a mug and top with whipped cream. YUM!

No one said we would lose weight during this process, but it’s definitely going to be fantastic. Assuming we aren’t all in a food coma from this, we will head to the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 and watch good triumph over evil. We’ll get back to watching our waistlines the next day.

Tanya’s Cauldron Cakes

-Mix up your favorite boxed devils food cake mix per the instructions on the box.
-Fill cupcake molds (no papers, please) only half-way.
-Cook per instructions on the box
-Let cupcakes cool on a wire rack
-When cool, cut the bottoms off the cupcake but don’t discard. Just set aside.
-Mix powdered sugar, lemon juice and water to make frosting. Tint it any color you like (we chose green). The frosting should not be too runny, but not thick like a regular cake frosting. You want to spoon about a teaspoon full over the “new” bottoms of the cupcake, allowing the frosting to “bubble” over the side of the cauldron. Put the cut-off bottom on the top of the cauldron (it’s now the lid).
-Cut lengths of chocolate “Twizzlers” (licorice) and bend so that they look like a handle.
-Push the ends of the “handle” into the “lid” of the cauldron.