Lake Zurich area has many Harry Potter events scheduled
Muggles across the country will be dressing in robes and wizard hats; carrying brooms and magic wands; and brewing magical potions in the next few weeks.
These excited and patient individuals are anticipating and celebrating the movie release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Wednesday and the July 21 book release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
In celebration of the release of the fifth Harry Potter film and the seventh and final installment of the popular book series written by J. K. Rowling, a number of events will be held around town in the coming weeks.
Lake Zurich's Ela Area Public Library will host a series of celebratory events.
Through July 12 in the Children's Department, children can enter a raffle to win some special items that Harry would love. Winners will be notified at 4:30 p.m. July 12, according to a press release.
The library will also hold a Harry Potter movie week with films being shown from 6-8:45 p.m. Monday through July 12. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone will be shown Monday, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets will be shown Tuesday, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will be screened Wednesday and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire will be shown July 12. Popcorn will be served, and registration is required, said Jennifer Groth, assistant department head of popular materials. "At the movies, we're going to be actually raffling off one (copy) of each movie a night," she added.
The library will also hold a Harry Potter Read-a-Thon from 9 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. July 19 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 20. Participants will read and listen to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Groth said. Volunteers have already signed up for 15-minute reading shifts, and anyone who wants to can read or come to listen, she said. "We're just going to read it straight through, all one day and half the next day," she said.
Library event participants are invited to come dressed like Harry Potter characters and wizards. "That would be fantastic," Groth said. For further information about the Ela Library's events, visit www.eapl.org or call the library at (847) 438-3433.
A Midnight Magic party will be held, beginning at 9 p.m. July 20, at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, in the Deer Park Town Center, to celebrate the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Participants can participate in a number of magical activities, including an amulet-making craft, scavenger hunt, spell casting, fortune telling, face painting, storytelling, raffles, games, trivia, a spelling bee and a costume contest, as participants are encouraged to come in costume, according to a flier.
At midnight, book sales will begin. Participants will need a wristband to get in line to purchase a book. Wristbands will be issued from 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. July 20. To ensure a book, it is recommended that participants reserve a copy. "We're still taking reservations every day," said Michelle Schmitz, community relations manager. For further information, or to reserve a copy of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," call Barnes and Noble at (847) 438-7444.