Harry Potter fans gather for midnight release party

RETURN TO HOGWARTS

(ROCKWALL, TX—August 17, 2016) To celebrate J.K. Rowling’s latest book, Half Price Books in Rockwall hosted a midnight release party with lots of spellbinding activities.

Co-written by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is the special edition script released from the new play premiering on the same night in London. As British enthusiasts marveled at the magic on stage for the first time, Potter fans worldwide purchased their copies of the play in its written form.

Readers arrived at 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 30 to collect tickets that would allow them to purchase the book immediately at midnight. After picking up their passes, folks enjoyed free snacks and drinks, and channeled their inner Sirius Black as they posed for a photo at the Azkaban mug shot display. Hogwarts wizards and witches could also snag a photo with Professor “Mad-Eye” Moody, or paint their very own wands at the craft table.

At the height of the festivities, the Potter fans congregated at the back of the store for the costume contest. Hannah Moore (12) wow-ed the crowd with her vocal impersonation of Hermione Granger and was awarded first place.

“I’m really happy that I won, because Harry Potter is my favorite series ever,” Moore said.

To top off the evening’s activities, Professor Moody tested everyone’s knowledge of the Harry Potter books with a fun trivia contest. The trivia questions were based solely off the books, not the films, and those who answered correctly were rewarded with some neat prizes, such as a book lover’s mug.

Nathaniel Hooten, who attended the release party with his daughter, said he was impressed with the attention to detail and huge amounts of Harry Potter knowledge displayed by readers of all ages, especially the kids.

“The enthusiasm from the kids, raising their hands and knowing the answers to all of the questions—that was awesome,” Hooten said. “I think it was a great way to encourage kids to read.”

A little before midnight, folks lined up to purchase their brand new special edition copy of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two.” It’s safe to say a fair few were thrilled to finally get their hands on the latest in the Harry Potter series.

Half Price Books Rockwall Manager Chris Thackaberry said the event was the first midnight release party the Rockwall store has put together, and that overall it was a great success.

GoodLiving_HarryPotter 3 — Front L-R: Meagan Eavenson, Jennifer Huntsman, and Jeremy Baggs as Professor Alastor Moody; Back L-R: Ralph Smith, Chris Thackaberry, and Rachel Cain-Johnson.

“We were very happy with the turnout,” Thackaberry said. “The wand-making was very popular! Everyone seemed to have a great time, and it’s also fun for us. We normally don’t get to stay open this late, and a lot of our staff love to dress up in costumes.”

By Blue Ribbon News Reporter Julie Anne White and Editor Austin Wells. Photos by Austin Wells and Blue Ribbon News Intern Blake Macaluso.