Harry Potter: Redlands, CA Book Release Parties Gone Wild

It's funny that the most popular person in America right now is not Paris Hilton, or Pamela Anderson, but the quirky little boy who lived: Harry Potter. Lines in movie theatres and bookstores attest that with his round glasses and lightening bolt scar, he has captured the heart of millions. The love of the Harry Potter books by J.K Rowling has brought about a revolution in release parties, transforming them from a simple rush to get a copy of their next most beloved book, perhaps signed, to a costume party for children and adults alike, complete with entertainment and prizes. On July 20th, at midnight, the next and final book of the series will be released: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Well before midnight, however, people will be pouring into Barnes and Nobles across the country in witch and wizard garb, either a Gryffindor or a Hufflepuff (no one likes a Slytherin), their bellies full of anxiety about who will die in the end of this book.

In my neck of the woods, we have our very own Harry Potter Party: Midnight Magic Costume Party. It is at the Barnes and Noble in Redlands, in Citrus Plaza. I have never been to one of these parties, so I went to the bookstore today to ask an experienced patron questions about what to expect. I spoke to Miss Courtney Wild, who is an employee and was present for the last Harry Potter party, when Half-Blood Prince was released. She said that the main problem was pandemonium with the huge crowd of people demanding their books at midnight. This year, numbered wristbands will be handed out the day of the party beginning at 9 o'clock in the morning. This will provide much more order after midnight, but beforehand will be a different story. Miss Wild said, "Last time it wasn't too bad, but this year it is going to be insane." Of course, in the two years since the last book release, the passion for Harry Potter has grown like an epidemic, and I must admit, I have caught it too!