Potter party planners work their magic
Group hopes for success after months of organizing
In the Muggle (nonmagic) world, conjuring up crowd-control spells and an overall successful event at the flick of a wand just isn't a reality.
Considering organizers of The Party That Shall Not Be Named are expecting tens of thousands of people to visit downtown Naperville during daytime and evening hours Friday, behind-the-scenes logistics such as providing toilets, adequate parking and crowd control have become necessary foes.
With the party in the works since the release date of the seventh Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," was announced, members of the Downtown Naperville Alliance have been kicking into overdrive. Monday was the last planning meeting before the event, which has resulted in hours of extra work for area merchants.
Not that it's not desired. Dominique Martucci, owner of Naper Nuts and Sweets, said the last Potter party resulted in a record day in sales. She's been "racing everywhere I can" to procure Harry Potter candies that manufacturers say won't be available ever again.
"Needless to say, everyone who works here is going crazy to prepare for this," Martucci said. "I started planning this four months ago. I think we're doing the best we can to prepare for something like this."
Patti Roberts, executive director of the Downtown Naperville Alliance, said during 2005's soiree people found enough places both for bathroom needs and for parking their broomsticks - er, vehicles.
"The Naperville trolley will circle downtown," Roberts said. "We can't afford shuttles. What we are doing is renting message centers to let people know where they can park. We will have signs on Aurora Avenue and Chicago Avenue to let people know where they can park. They're all within walking distance."
Those lots will be at Naperville Central High School and North Central College. The downtown parking decks also are an option, as is the Municipal Center deck in the evening. Roberts said after 6 p.m. the Burlington commuter parking lot also will be up for grabs.
Planning adequate space - and protection - for the anticipated crowds has been another challenge. The City Council approved the closure of Jefferson Avenue from both Eagle Street to Main Street, as well as from Main Street to Washington Street. Webster Street from the Nichols Library parking lot entrance to the Paw-Paw parking lot entrance also will be closed to traffic and parking. No left turns from Washington Street onto Jefferson Avenue will be allowed between 2 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday.
Roberts said knowledge from the last event helped determine appropriate closures for this go-round.
"We had asked for one street to be blocked off and they ended up blocking off two others because of safety for the crowds," Roberts said. "However, it was a very orderly group of all ages. There were no incidents."
Jennifer Runestad, special events coordinator for the city, said six police officers, two community service officers and one sergeant will be on patrol downtown; however, Runestad said this is based on preliminary crowd estimates and that if the crowd swells to larger numbers, "(the police) have to deal with it as it comes."
Mayor George Pradel said with the success of the Muggle Magic event in 2005, it was natural to honor something that appeals to such a large audience.
"I've been dabbling (in reading the books)," Pradel said. "I like the characters and I like the gist of it. I haven't gotten into it that much. I want to go see a Harry Potter movie."
"My perception is those that came two years ago and had a good time will come again and tell their friends," Roberts said. "I don't know what that means exactly. Last time, we were hoping for 10,000 and got 50,000."
Roberts said she knows expectations surrounding the celebration of Harry's final adventure are high.
"My expectation in doing an event is to try and meet the expectations of the person attending that event," she said. "I am probably harder on myself than anyone else. And I set my expectations high. Knowing that you've got 50,000 or so coming to the event, that sets anxiety and pressure in itself."
Contact Kate Houlihan at khoulihan@scn1.com or 630-416-5224.