Harry's birthday party was such a success in 2002, all the guests, and even some who weren't able to attend, begged me to have another Hogwarts Celebration, but I thought celebrating Harry's birthday in that same way every year might be a bit redundant, so I shrugged them off with a "we'll see"...but in January 2003 what wonderful news to mine eyes did appear but that Book 5 was coming in June of that year! I immediately told everyone to save the date to celebrate
Year Five at Hogwarts!

This has was the largest party I have ever hosted (yet?), with 50 people total - whew! As soon as the Year Five party was over, I was asked about "next year" but the next full-blown Hogwarts Celebration will be "Year Six at Hogwarts"...whenever that might be! Here's hoping it's not another three years...



(delivered by Owl Post, of course!)
The actual invitations with complete instructions for the intensely curious...this year with a permission slip for Hogsmeade!



I was able to use a lot of the props I had original made for Harry's Birthday, but I couldn't just leave it at that. Here are the final invitations, some preliminary decor, also Frequently Asked Questions for the invitees...



All the Hogwarts Classrooms, the Blue Lady painting, the Trophy Case, the flagstone walls, the Quidditch Pitch, and more...



All the guests who bravely wore their wizarding attire and who won which prize...



My own leather Sorting Hat, complete with thoughtful face, separated all the guests into one of the Houses...



Hogwarts and Honeydukes recipes served at the party, including Butterbeer, Pumpkin Juice, Treacle Tarts, Pumpkin Pasties, Licorice Wands, Peppermint Toads, Acid Pops, and more...

...and last, but not least...



Photos of the fun had by all, making their own Potions, the Young Wizard Treasure Hunt, even Nerf Quidditch, and including highlights from the webcam broadcast...