Inaugural Wizards and Witches Festival

By Laurie Gordon
Many know of the annual Harry Potter extravaganza that hits Spring Street each November. Now, The Shoppes at Lafayette are introducing a second sorcery sensation. Head to Lafayette this Saturday, April 27, for the inaugural Wizards & Witches Festival.
“In the fall, we did a Magical Mystery Vendor event,” said the Shoppe's at Lafaytte's manager, Patti Singer. “In talking with the company that coordinated that event, we wanted to do a fun event once the weather turned nice in the spring and it this idea just took off.”
The company at the helm is Charli Jade Events based in Hackettstown.
“Geni and Ashley [employees] have brought together vendors, performers, activities and more,” Singer said. “It will be a fantastic happening on Saturday.”
Most of the stores within the Shoppes at Lafayette will be participating and will be selling or having and activity based on the theme.
The festival, which will begin at 11 a.m, will feature readers and psychics, arts and crafts, healers, performers, a Magical Map Quest, a Wizarding Hat Show, a Magic of Science Show and, getting back to Harry Potter, a Quiddich Duel.
The once dilapidated Olde Lafayette Village now breathes new life as The Shoppes at Lafayette. Singer began her position in May of 2018 and has enjoyed seeing the amazing transformation.
“Upon my one year anniversary it has been great to see new businesses move in and flourish as well as an improvement in the property,” she said.
The magic will continue into the spring and summer as the Shoppes celebrate Lafayette Day on June 8.
“In conjunction with the town we are join in on the festivities and fun,” Singer said. “The theme this year is The 60's. All store owners will get into the act and dress in their finest tie dye and bell bottoms and at 5pm that night we will have our own LafayetteStock. We will have a band out on the green perform Woodstock era music where people can bring their chairs and blankets and sit and listen to some great music.”
The Shoppes will once again have a Farmers Market every Sunday through November beginning June 2nd. A Bridal Expo is in the works as well as sidewalk sale days. June 7-10 the Sussex County Art Society will have an art show called "Fabulous Fakes" in the Village Hall.
“We are also proud to be co-sponsoring along with Lafayette House Restaurant the sold out event A Night of Hope, Healing and Inspiration with Clark Frederick,” Singer said. “All proceeds of this event will go directly to Ginnie's House, DASI and The Center for Prevention.”
On May 4, the Shoppes at Lafayette will have a large vendor event throughout the village as well as the Grand Opening of Bullets Boots and a Tea, Sweets and Savories Open House at Flowers in the Attic. The main parking lot will be paved in May as well as the installation of a fountain in the recently cleared pond.
The are many great things happening at The Shoppes at Lafayette. Visit the website for the complete event schedule.www.theshoppesatlafayette.com/events The Shoppes at Lafayette are located at 75 NJ-15, Lafayette Township.