Quidditch World Cup

(whoops, forgot to post this in NOVEMBER)

If you're thinking, 'Quidditch World Cup?  Nerdy...' let me stop you right there.

Actually, I won't stop you.  It is nerdy, but let me tell you, it was AMAZING.

Okay, so if you're a fan of the movies/books, then you know Quidditch is a game played in Harry Potter, where the players are flying on brooms.  So how could this be played in real life?  I'll answer this question, and you'll roll your eyes...  they run with brooms in between their legs.

It sound super dumb, I'm aware, but these people are legit athletes!  There was quite a bit of tackling, injuries, and amazing showcases of athletic abilities.  I was not expecting any of that.

Let me summarize the way it's played: There are two teams of 7 players on each side.  Each time has 3 chasers, who play with the quaffle, which is used to score.  They can score through the 3 hoops from either the front of the back.  Then there are the beaters that handle the bludgers.  Only the beaters are allowed to handle them.  If they hit a player with a bludger, then that player has to run back to their hoops and touch them before they can return to play.  Then there is one seeker per team, who's job is to catch the snitch.

Now one of the best parts of the entire game, is that the snitch is a person.  They get to do whatever they want, and it's AWESOME.  They leave the field, tackle other players, sit in the stands, steal the microphone from the commentators...  It's hilarious, and incredibly entertaining.

I did not think I'd enjoy watching the sport as much as I did.  It was AWESOME.  I actually worked the event, live updating scores and plays on one of the 9 fields.  There were booths with Harry Potter merch, food sales consisting of turkey legs and butterbeer, and THOUSANDS of fans.  This isn't some little thing.  There were 94 teams, from UCLA to Harvard.  I'm so glad I was a part of it, and I'll remember it forever.