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Harry Potter House In Ellicott City Gets Decked Out For Halloween
The 'Harry Potter House' in Ellicott City is dressed up for Halloween and will be on display for more than a week after the festivities.
ELLICOTT CITY, MD — The family in Ellicott City that lives in what has become known as the "Harry Potter House" is at it again. And there are some new elements in time for Halloween.
"Our house is decorated with all things Harry Potter," said Meghan Beno of her family's home in Turf Valley Overlook.
"The yard is complete with Forbidden Forest, Quidditch pitch, graveyard, Whomping Willow and new this year, Triwizard Maze and Hogwarts Thestral carriage," Beno said.
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Six candy stations will be set up on the porch for trick-or-treaters: The Great Hall, Hogwarts class, Zonkos, Honeydukes, Ollivanders and Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary.
The best part of creating the Harry Potter House is "seeing the magic" associated with the series, she told Patch.
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To spread the joy of the season, the Benos will be taking donatons for a nonprofit on Halloween.
"We'll be collecting for Howard County Food Bank for those who would like to contribute," Beno told Patch. Here is the food bank's wish list.
This is at least the eighth year Beno has decked out her house to be a reflection of the magical series by J.K. Rowling. (See pictures from last year.)
Before moving to Turf Valley, the Benos lived in a townhouse in Dorsey Hall, and that's where the tradition started. In the years since, the display has grown and so has their family; the Benos now have a 7 and 4-year-old who help shape their Harry Potter House.
Their vision has come to life in Turf Valley Overlook over the past two weeks as they have installed various pieces of the setup.
The setup will be complete just in time for Halloween — at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31 — and it will remain on display through Saturday, Nov. 10.
"Some people come trick-or-treating with their kids to see it," Beno said. As she was giving Ellicott City Patch the tour, there were in fact some lookie-loos already.
The Harry Potter House is at 2903 River Falls Ct., Ellicott City, MD 21042.
Photos by Elizabeth Janney taken on Saturday, Oct. 27.
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