All the World's a Quidditch Match

The got curiouser and curiouser.

In the end the rain won.

But first about 80-100 players and spectators weathered much of the wet weather on Friday at first quidditch match.

The Harry Potter-inspired affair benefitted Project Bread, which feeds hungry people, said event organizer Taylorlyn Stephan.

The high school sophomore and fellow members of the school’s Potterwatch chapter followed the script for quidditch.

But that script allows lots of flexibility, and lines between playing field and sidelines blurred.

Players included two teams and a golden snitch.

Players straddled broomsticks, and the snitch possessed a balled sock.

When the snitch fled the field, pursuers sought the snitch and sock on the sidelines and into the crowd at Lower Jackson Field.

Students and adults cheered the action. Several danced and broke into song.

Taylorlyn was happy with the number of people who showed up for the event, the first of its kind at the school.

Principal Layne Millington was glad for the turnout, too.

Especially on a Friday afternoon, he said.

Spectators Austin Sagan and Sophie Forman huddled under a tree on the embankment above the field.

Sophie said her friends would be surprised she elected to go to a quidditch match.

She said it was fun. She enjoyed seeing two siblings, Bennett and Phil Smith, engage in a rivalry as they pursued snitch Taylorlyn Stephan.

Austin has yet to read the Potter books, but the madcap quidditch action has piqued his interest in the J.K. Rowling series.

Senior Korri Flint has read Harry Potter books.

She also knows the quidditch game was held for a serious matter, raising money for people to eat.

She bought a finger sandwich and drink to benefit Project Bread.

Taylorlyn said the group’s goal was to raise $300.

Into the mix went fun, exercise and a game that invited the crowd into the action.