KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – The 5th annual Keene Wizarding Week concluded recently, but it also marked the final chapter for this popular community event.

Founder and organizer Amy Christiansen-Schoefmann, owner of Eat More Cake announced in a Facebook video on Monday afternoon that the event, inspired by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, will not return next year due to a cease and desist letter from Warner Brothers’ lawyer.

Christiansen-Schoefmann said that she received the notice via email (she also shared a copy with Monadnock Media Group’s news staff) and decided to comply to protect the participating businesses from potential penalties. As a result, she will also delete all social media pages associated with the event and ensure that it is erased from digital platforms.

The event, launched in 2020, grew from 15 participating downtown merchants and artists to more than 60 at this year’s event, which ran from July 24-28.

Keene Wizarding Week included special events and new attractions each year along with themed decorations.

Businesses like Ted’s Shoe and Sport and Beeze Tees added their unique twists to the theme, with limited-edition Harry Potter-themed merchandise and custom designs. Shadow and Soul Emporium & Tea Lounge offered Hogwarts-inspired classes, food, and teas, while also hosting a “gold snitch look and find” activity and Alchemy Alley, a vendor fair inspired by Diagon Alley.

The event saw immense support from local businesses and the community. Downtown merchants and vendors worked tirelessly, said Christiansen-Schoefmann, to make the event a memorable experience.

Organizing the event involved significant costs, including vendor fees, street decorations, and insurance to cover city spaces. She also mentioned in her Facebook video that all profits went back into the event and that she often covered additional expenses out of pocket.

One downtown business owner questioned prior to this year’s event where the vendor fees were being spent with the idea that Keene Wizarding Week is a nonprofit organization and was vocal about it on social media – at the same time calling Christiansen-Schoefmann’s character into question, she said. Soon after, Christiansen-Schoefmann received the cease and desist letter, which led to the difficult decision to discontinue the event.

Christiansen-Schoefmann expressed concerns over potential lawsuits against small businesses that participated in the event, stressing that compliance with the cease and desist was necessary to protect them.

In her farewell message, Christiansen-Schoefmann thanked everyone who supported and participated in the event over the years. She urged the community to keep the positivity and continue supporting local businesses. While Keene Wizarding Week has come to an end, she hopes to bring another amazing shopping experience to downtown Keene in the future.