Downtown Party Draws thousands
Writing by Ryan on Thursday, 26 of July , 2007 at 5:00 pm
The block party, which offered wizard-themed crafts and activities, the showing of “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” a Harry Potter trivia contest, a costume contest, and the sale of J.K. Rowling’s seventh and last Harry Potter book — “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”— was organized by Jazams, an independent toy and book store, and included participation from more than a dozen local stores and organizations.
First place winners of the Hogwarts Costume Parade included Tyler Olmstead as the Golden Snitch in the 6-and-under category, Gabriel Bar-Cohen in the 7-to-12 age group as Sirius Black and Gyuri Hollosy as Hagrid in the 13-and-up category.
“It was great, it was quite magical. It was really crowded and really fun,” said Joanne Farrugia, owner of Jazams. “People seemed genuinely happy in spite of all the lines at every booth.”
Jazams, which took orders for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” prior to its release sold 300 copies at midnight. By the end of Saturday, a total of 370 copies had been purchased at the two Jazams stores.
Managers of the Barnes & Noble and Borders Books & Music, both in West Windsor, said they also sold a lot of copies of the seventh Harry Potter book.
Both stores also hosted their own magical festivities Friday night.
Barnes & Noble’s “Midnight Magic,” which included a Hogworts Summer School Trivia contest, brought approximately 2,000 people, according to a store representative.
Borders’ “Grand Hallows Ball” offered a Harry Potter spelling bee, a costume contest and raffle for the first place in the cashier line.
Dee Sawyer, Borders general manager, described the night as “very exciting.”
She said she’s been part of several of Borders’ major book releases, including those for other books from the Harry Potter series, but that this one had the largest attendance.
“It was like being in Times Square on New Year’s Eve,” Ms. Sawyer said. “Harry Potter really is for all ages.
-PrincetonPacket
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