Wizards, witches and all forms of magical creatures will come together tonight for a night of well-mannered frivolity.
UF’s Reitz Union Board Entertainment’s third Harry Potter event, the Yule Ball, will transform the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
RUB will hand out wristbands to enter the event at 6 p.m. Muggles and UF students are welcome.
Jennifer Robleto, a 22-year-old recreation, parks and tourism senior and RUB Entertainment special events director, said 1,000 people are expected to participate.
“It just draws a big crowd, so we try to make it as special as we can since we know so many people like Harry Potter,” Robleto said. “We just put an extra amount of effort trying to make this a good event. There is just something about Harry Potter that people love it.”
This year’s costume contest will have male and female winners for the best character costume and best formal wear, she said.
Bobby Desmond, a 19-year-old telecommunication and political science sophomore, dressed as the Dark Lord, Tom Riddle, to claim the prize at last year’s Harry Potter event.
“I love seeing everybody dressed up because it’s not that often that you see people walking around as wizards or little creatures,” he said. “Everybody just gets really creative with it.”
