Potter fans to give book send-off
Fans who can't get enough of the boy wizard will have plenty of chances to give Harry Potter and his crew a fitting send-off in Evanston between now and the midnight release of the final book July 20.
The Evanston Public Library, local bookstores and even a local bank are hosting parties timed to the release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows", the seventh and final installment of the must-read series. At the stroke of 12:01 a.m. July 21, the wraps will come off the tome that reveals the plot's closely-held finish but is just as likely to leave some questions to the reader's imagination.
Hype over the release of J.K Rowling's finale has been particularly intense, as it arrives within 10 days of the Wednesday movie debut of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", based on the fifth book in the series.
In Evanston, the partying will start tonight with a free festival at the North Branch of the Evanston Public Library, 2026 Central St., Evanston. Young wizards, witches and muggles are invited to show up in costume - or not - for the drop-in party that will include a Potter trivia contest starting at 6:30 p.m.. "No giants, please, as space is limited!," according to the promotion.
A similar bash geared for elementary-aged youngsters is scheduled for Saturday at the main Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave., Evanston. The event, featuring games and a trivia competition, will take place between 10 and 11:30 a.m..
Devoted followers are invited to "go back to where it all began" at 6 p.m. Wednesday, when the library will show "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", the movie based on the first book in the series.
Two major Evanston booksellers are doing their part to fuel the anticipation with costume contests and other activities the night of July 20.
At Barnes and Noble, 1630 Sherman Ave., readers who show up in costume as their favorite character will have their picture taken with the store's own "Harry". Photographs will be posted in the Children's Department and store patrons will vote on their pick for best costume before the winner is announced shortly after 11:15 p.m..
The party also will feature a tattoo station in the Music Department and a scavenger hunt throughout both levels of the store. Since the wildly successful Harry Potter series is coming to an end, the games will include tie-ins to some up-and-coming book series that might fill the void for readers, according to Steve DeChant, store manager.
"We want to give kids some ideas of what they can read next," said DeChant.
At about 11:30 p.m., lines will begin to form both for customers who've pre-ordered copies of the Deathly Hallows book and others hoping to purchase a copy.
At Borders Books and Music, 1700 Maple Ave., the partying that also includes a costume competition will start at 9:30 p.m. July 20. Patrons who've pre-ordered books have been actively speculating on whether wizard Severus Snape will turn out to be a force for good or evil.
"At the very end of the sixth book, we are left hanging," explained store clerk Lessa Bouchard. "It looks like Severus is a bad guy; he's given Harry, the main protagonist, a hard time throughout the series, but it's always been in doubt whether his intentions are good or bad. It's all part of what will be revealed in the final book," said Bouchard, noting the Snape debate has spawned several books devoted to the topic.
Borders patrons have been casting their own predictions at the time they pre-ordered copies of the Deathly Hallows. Customers have chosen one of four stickers: Trust Snape, Snape is a Very Bad Man, Snape is Loyal or Snape Will Betray.
First Bank and Trust, 820 Church St., is hosting its own Harry Potter Midnight Party from 11:30 p.m. July 20 to 12:30 a.m.. To encourage early saving, the bank has been giving book vouchers to youngsters who opened a Junior Banker account with a $100 minimum deposit. The vouchers can be redeemed the night of the party. During the party, the bank also will hold a drawing for 25 free copies that are not a part of the promotion.
The Evanston Public Library has ordered 17 copies of the latest book and already has reserve requests from 32 patrons. "We will order more if demand increases dramatically," said Kate Todd, a library spokesperson.