NILES — Witches and wizards are advised to ready their magic wands and robes in preparation for A Magical Evening of Wizardry in Niles.

The second annual Harry Potter-inspired event is free and open to the public and will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5. The event’s activities will be spread out over the Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St. and the Chapin Mansion and Niles History Center, 508 E. Main St.

Tara Hunsberger, a youth services coordinator at the Niles District Library, said the event is intended for anyone with a love for magic.

“It’s a fun event for kids of all ages, that includes adults to get your inner wizard and witch out,” Hunsberger said.

Those who attend can find many magical activities. They can start be being sorted into their house, similar to how Harry Potter characters are sorted as a Hufflepuff, Gryffindor or Slytherin. In the Chapin Mansion, they can participate in wand making and potions classes and learn a bit about transfiguration – the ability to turn inanimate objects into animals.

Christina Arseneau, the Niles History Center director, said classes will be more advanced than the year before, offering new opportunities to bolster their wizardry skills.

Volunteers running the event will dress as wizards and witches and those who attend are encouraged to dress as their favorite book character. There will be a costume contest and prizes awarded to the best dressed.

Last year’s first-time event brought out more than 800 people to participate. Residents from across Michigan and Indiana poured into Niles to check it out. Arseneau is hoping for the same-sized crowd this year. She said because of the event’s popularity, organizers extended the hours and spread out the activities.

Those who have stepped foot in the historic Chapin Mansion, might take in the stained-glass windows and intricately carved wood on the walls and banister and feel like they are in a magical place. That’s why Arseneau said it was an ideal back drop for the event. To add to the ambiance, volunteers spend about three days decorating the mansion.

While the event does not raise any money, Arseneau said it is a great way to promote the mansion, history center and Niles District Library.

“It’s a chance for people to come and have fun at the library, museum and mansion and that is just as important to us as learning the history of the area or checking out books” Arseneau said.

Nicole Martin, the library’s administrative manager who is participating in the event, echoed this sentiment.

“I’m super excited,” Martin said. “We get to bring a lot of people together for one shared interest. Last year, we got a lot of people who would normally have come into the library or the museum and then they get to learn about all the other great programs that we have.”

Those running the event think of themselves as pretty big fans to J.K. Rowling’s work. Arseneau said she likes how Rowling’s stories bring a little magic to real life, which is what the event will seek to do, too.

“The idea that there could be magic all around us is really fun,” Arseneau said.

To learn more about the event, people can call the Niles History Center at (269) 683-4700 or at the Niles District Library at (269) 683-8545.  Event organizers are still seeking volunteers to participate.

Those interested can contact the library or history center for more information.