Muggles line up in red and gold Gryffindor robes, waiting to find out the fate of their dear friend, Harry Potter. Such will be the scene at midnight tonight in bookstores across the country.
The seventh and final book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," will be released tonight just after midnight. Utah bookstores have been planning parties for months in anticipation of the release.
The Barnes and Noble "Midnight Magic" party includes a costume contest, trivia scavenger hunt, amulet and magical-creature making, and magic potion demonstration, according to barnesandnoble.com.
Borders in Provo at the Riverwoods will be hosting a "grand hallows ball" at 8 p.m. Children can participate in a costume competition, hear live music from "Harry Potter and the Lightning Bolts," watch divination/transfiguration demonstrations and find the golden snitch, said Matt Grahl, general manager. In the past, he said more than 2,000 people attended the release.
"It's fun, but it's pure chaos," Grahl said.
Grahl said he feels relieved that this is the last book and thus the last premier party to plan. However, he also feels sentimental.
"It's weird to think that it's all over," he said.
Those buying the new book will receive a free "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" poster, according to borders.com.
Deseret Book in Provo, Orem and at University Mall will be having games, snacks and prize drawings. The party in Provo begins at 11 p.m. The Orem party begins at 11:30 p.m. and the University Mall party begins at 11:45 p.m.
Funfinity Books in Springville will have a live band, magic show, prizes and a costume competition starting at 9 p.m. Customers can watch one of the movies projected on the side of the building while eating snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn. Writers can also compete in an essay contest, giving 77 words on their predictions about the ending of the book, said Betsy Billings, store manager.
The Provo Library is hosting a free, ticketed event from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., said Ann-Marie Marchant, Adult and Teen Services librarian. Although there were 600 tickets available on July 2, librarians filled all slots during the first week.
The library's "An Evening at Hogwarts" includes a costume contest, face painting, trivia and Harry Potter Scene-It.
"We're trying to make it fun for the whole family," Marchant said. "We wanted to make sure teens and adults were getting as much representation as the kids."
The main event will be the classes, based on those from the novels. A BYU chemistry professor will be teaching "potions." During "herbology," children will plant seeds. "Charms" will feature wand-making and proper wand-waving techniques. At the "owlrey," visitors can make paper-bag owls. Finally, the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum will be presenting a bird and reptile show for "care of magical creatures," Marchant said.
"We thought about the classes they go to and how we could adapt it," she said.
This is the library's first Harry Potter premier party, which librarians have been planning since March.
"It's always fun to see members of the community get together in ways you normally don't see them interact," Marchant said.
In addition to the evening party, the library will be showing the first four movies in Room 201. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" at 9:30 a.m., "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" at 12:15 p.m., "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" at 3:30 p.m. and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" at 5:15 p.m.
The Provo Library will not be open at midnight; however, the first 60 people to reserve the book for checking out can pick up their copies at 9 a.m. Saturday. As of July 14, 339 people were on the waiting list, Marchant said.
The Springville Library will be hosting a party from 8 to 10 p.m. with Hogwarts-type classes, games and activities. The library will reopen at midnight for the first 30 people with holds on the new book, said Pam Vaughn, library director.
Waldenbooks in the Provo Towne Centre will be sponsoring an event at 9:30 p.m. Customers can participate in the "Great Snape Debate," compete in the "Potter Spelling Bee" and dress as their favorite character in the costume competition. Children can also enjoy carnival events and win prizes.
Wal-Mart in Springville is also having a costume contest at 11:30 p.m.
Local Harry Potter Bashes
Barnes and Noble: 8 p.m. at 330 E. 1300 South, Orem, 229-1611
Borders: 8 p.m. at the Riverwoods at 4801 N. University Ave., Provo, 224-2720
BYU Bookstore: 10 p.m., 422-0078
Deseret Book: 11 p.m. at 989 S. University Ave., Provo, 375-1009 or 11:30 p.m. at 230 E. University Parkway in Orem, 734-1330 or 11:45 p.m. inside University Mall at 575 E. University Parkway in Orem, 224-0055
Funfinity Books: 9 p.m. at 164 S. Main St., Springville, 491-8944
Provo Library: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 550 N. University Ave., Provo, 852-6650
Springville Library: 8 to 10 p.m. at 50 S. Main St., Springville, 489-2720
Waldenbooks: 9:30 p.m. inside Provo Towne Centre, 1200 Towne Centre Blvd., Provo, 852-0015
Wal-Mart: 11:30 p.m. at 660 S. 1750 West, Springville, 489-6293
Copyright Brigham Young University 20 Jul 2007
