Crafts, magic in store at Antioch arts faire

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Family Summer Fun and Arts & Crafts Faire, as well as its inaugural Wizards Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, June 17 and 18, in downtown Antioch.

The Arts & Crafts Faire will feature artisans from around the country with more than 85 booths of handcrafted goods. Admission is free. The will also be several free children's activities. The summer event is the largest of Antioch's three annual Arts and Crafts Faires.

The festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Main and Orchard streets.

Children's activities include free face painting and balloon art, a visit from Cha Cha the Rainforest Cafe Mascot on Saturday, and a free fun fair from noon to 2 p.m. at NorthBridge Church both days.

Held in conjunction with the Arts and Crafts Faire, Wizards Weekend will feature an array of magical activities. Kids ages 8-13 can attend the Kids Hogwarts School of Magic from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday at Antioch Elementary School, 817 Main St., Antioch, to take classes like Herbology, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Divination (children not registered in advance should arrive at 9:45 a.m.; admission is $20).

Students are encouraged to dress for their house of choice, or be sorted by the Sorting Hat. Pick up a Marauder's Map at the Ministry of Magic Booth at the fair to find Wizard Shops from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and take part in a Scavenger Hunt and Horcrux Search from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

A Magical Attire Contest will be held at noon Sunday for all ages, and even dogs can take part.

There will also be a TriWizard Chess Tournament Saturday. Teams of 16 will take the roles of chess pieces to compete for the trophy. Registered teams will be assigned a time to compete. Registration is $10 per team. Register at the Antioch Chamber of Commerce website.

For more information, visit www.antiochchamber.org and WizardsWeekend.com.