Witches and wizards to overrun castle

WANDS, pointy hats and broomsticks are set to become even more commonplace at Kryal Castle over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

From Friday, 11 June until Monday, 13 June, the medieval-themed adventure park will host their inaugural Witches and Wizards Festival, which general manager Bart Hamilton said is sure to “bring a little magic to Ballarat.”

“It’s the start of winter, so when the mist comes out across the castle, it’s kind of when the witches and wizards come out for the winter solstice,” he said.

“The necromancers will come out, the potions will be bubbling, and hopefully it’ll get people out here for that cold atmosphere.

“We’re wanting to merge the more folkloric, traditional side of witchcraft with the more commercial Harry Potter vibe so hopefully we’ll get a broad range of people.”

The festival will comprise activities like a unicorn meet and greet, tarot card readings, and a spell-casting school.

Performing magicians will roam the grounds, and attendees will be able to make their own wands at a wand-making exhibit.

Witches and Wizards Festival is the latest in a recent wave of inaugural events for Kryal including Knight and Day Festival and the Unicorn Festival.

Mr Hamilton said he hopes that, alongside those events, Witches and Wizards Festival can become an annual event to take place every Queen’s Birthday weekend.

“We think this will have a very longstanding appeal, so we’ll be wanting to add to it each year,” he said.

“Reception’s been pretty good so far and people do seem very keen for it so hopefully, like Unicorn Festival, we’ll have another sell-out on our hands.”

Ticket prices vary from $22 for infants aged up to two years old to $99 for single parent families, and can be purchased at kryalcastle.com.au.