Where Were You at Midnight on July 21st?
Ah, it's come and gone. Most of us know the ending. But, you won't be hearing it here.
I'm going to try to keep as much of this in tact for posterity while making a scrapbook of the events of July 21, 2007. Hope you had fun and until next time (after all, Ms. Rowling has said there will be that encyclopedia after all)!
This was the original text of this lens before the infamous date: This is it, muggles! The last Harry Potter book! The Deathly Hallows is almost here! And bookstores are gearing up for big Potter parties. Where can you find a Potter release party near you? And what about holding your own Harry Potter release party?
Here's all the information you need.
Note: Bookstores and media outlets, contact me to have your event listed here.
The Potter Release Party I Attended!
Long story short, I had a BLAST. This was the release party I attended at Books-A-Million in Southaven, MS. I was actually "Head of Gryffindor House" - a task allotted to me by my best friend a.k.a. the store manager. Here's the madness first hand!
Harry Potter Midnight Madness!
So, I volunteered to help my friend with the Harry Potter release party at the bookstore she manages. This is a sort of rough cut of all the interviews and the madness surrounding Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.
Runtime: 2:45
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3 Comments:
![[202/2007] They Got Their HP Books! by PJ Taylor / mybluemuse (itchy from hive attack!)](http://static.flickr.com/1084/867158890_a69c938043_s.jpg)
NEWS: Independent Bookstores Celebrate Potter Release
Independent Muggles for Harry Potter Sweepstakes
Participating stores will offer customers the chance to win a trip for four to London. I will try to pin point which locations will be participating in this promotion. Good luck, Muggles!
Don't Want to Get Out at Midnight?
Then Throw Your Own Party!
Here's a few tips for throwing your own homegrown Harry Potter release party.
- How to Throw Your Own Harry Potter Release Party - Associated Content
- A few ideas for throwing your own Harry Potter release party at home.
- Madam Rosmerta's Magical Recipes - Butterbeer
- A recipe for that infamous butterbeer from mugglenet.
- Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando
- If you can't make it to any of the July 21 festivities, have no fear. Hogwarts will soon be at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
Barnes & Noble
Most all B&Ns will be holding a Midnight Magic party. So, if you don't see your local Barnes and Noble listed, make sure to check with the official Midnight Magic party site. It's So Hard To Say Goodbye
Did you attend a Potter Party? Let me know and I'll feature you on this lens! Just hit the "contact me" link on the left under my photo.
Arizona
Harry Potter Release Parties in Arizona
- Tempe - Changing Hands Bookstore
- NOTE: This is an "Independent Muggles for Harry Potter" Sweepstakes participatory store.
On the menu: Seconds to Breathe (who opened for Bon Jovi) will perform, fire dancers in Hogwarts attire, face painting, animal visitors from the Phoenix Zoo including snakes, spiders and toads and a special reading of the first chapter of the book by a local actor.
Arkansas
Harry Potter Release Parties in Arkansas
- Little Rock - Barnes and Noble
- Activities include games, costume contest, & Door prize raffle for a chance to have your picture taken with a live owl, snake, and other magical creatures.
- N. Little Rock - Barnes and Noble
- Will feature fortune tellers, magic potion demonstration and trivia scavenger hunt.
California
Harry Potter Release Parties in California
- San Diego - University of California Bookstore
- Activities include a costume contest, coloring stations and gift give-aways.
- San Diego - Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore
- NOTE: This is Independent Muggles for Harry Potter Participatory Store.
- San Francisco - The Booksmith
- NOTE: This bookstore is an "Independent Muggles for Harry Potter" Sweepstakes participatory store.
Games, contests and prizes. Customers who pre-order the book will receive a 20% discount.
Colorado
Harry Potter Release Parties in Colorado
- Fort Collins - The Readers Cove Bookstore
- A magician, live music, games and prizes as well as some "very special visitors."
Florida
Harry Potter Release Parties in Florida
- Tampa - Inkwood Books
- Contest for a trip to 4 to London, servings of Potter Punch and Snitch Donut Holes and fortune tellers.
Illinois
Harry Potter Release Parties in Illinois
- Oak Park - Magic Tree Bookstore
- Activities include Hogsmeade Town Debates, Muggle miniature golf and meetings with Harry Potter characters. For those traveling out of town, hotel packages are available.
Massachusetts
Harry Potter Release Parties in Massachusetts
- Rockport - Toad Hall Bookstore
- Costumes and more!
Michigan
Harry Potter Release Parties in Michigan
- Howell - Aria Booksellers
- Situated in downtown Howell, Aria, along with area retailers, will be participating in one large downtown celebration. Activities include a costume contest as well as many other neighboring activities courtesy of surrounding retailers.
Minnesota
Harry Potter Release Parties in Minnesota
- Bloomington - Mall of America
- Held in conjunction with MOA's Barnes and Noble, Mall of America's Harry Potter Midnight Magic Party will include a costume contest, magicians and face painting along with Potter classes.
- Minneapolis - Amazon Bookstore
- This small, independent bookstore offers one of their traditional Harry Potter release parties. Come dressed as your favorite "obscure" Potterverse character as the party spills out onto the sidewalk.
Mississippi
Harry Potter Release Parties in Mississippi
- Oxford - Square Books
- Note: This is an "Independent Muggles for Harry Potter" Sweepstakes participatory store.
Prizes, snacks and contests will be the name of the game here. Also, young wizards who come wearing pajamas get 10% off while those dressed as a Harry Potter character will receive 20% off. Pre-orders will be 25% off. - Southaven - Books-A-Million
- Costume contest, face painting and other activities.
Montana
Harry Potter Release Parties in Montana
- Hamilton - Chapter One Books
- NOTE: This is an "Independent Muggles for Harry Potter" participatory store.
Games, activities and a chance to win a trip for 4 to London, England.
New York
Harry Potter Release Parties in New York
- Hudson - The Spotty Dog
- NOTE: This store is an "Independent Muggles for Harry Potter" Sweepstakes participatory store.
Located in an 1890s firehouse, this locale also features a lounge/cafe. - New York City - Toys R US Times Square
- This huge launch party will be taking place in Times Square. The celebration will be huge!
Ohio
Harry Potter Release Parties in Ohio
- Cincinnati - Blue Manatee Bookstore
- Wizardly food and drinks, magicians and owls!
- Cincinnati - Joseph-Beth Booksellers
- Midnight Magic party will included ticketed and free events. Many of your favorite characters from the HP universe will also be present.
- Cleveland - Great Science Center
- "Sleepover with activities, a viewing of 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' in the Omnimax theater and receipt of the book at midnight. Admission to the exhibits, continental breakfast and parking. Cost: $45, plus $20 for a copy of 'Deathly Hallows.'"
- Cleveland Heights - Mac's Backs
- Another streetwide party surrounding Mac's Back. Festivities will include arts and crafts, a sorting hat ceremony, servings of butter beer and pumpkin juice, a costume contest, trivia, street performers, an outdoor Harry Potter movie and even owls and raptors.
- Hudson - The Learned Owl Bookshop
- As if the name of the bookshop isn't cool enough, the entire area surrounding the Learned Owl - Main Street of Hudson - will be transformed into the famous Diagon Alley. Over 15 acres of Hudson will be transformed into a Harry Potter fan paradise. Downtown restaurants will feature Potter menus, there will be a special photographer on hand to take Potter-style photos, the Purple Knight Bus will make an appearance...
Okay, I have to stop or I'm going to get overly excited because I can't go! Rats! - Peninsula - Blue Heron Bookstore
- The surrounding village of Peninsula will transform into the World of Harry Potter.
The Enchanted Village will be filled with recognizable shops such as Flourish and Botts. Guests will be able to ride the Hogwart's Express from Independence or Akron to Blue Heron. There will be a Great Feast which includes a trip on the Knight Bus. A Start of Term Ball will also take place as well as a moonlight hike through the Forbidden Forest where you might just spot a magical creature.
Pennsylvania
Harry Potter Release Parties in Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia - Blue Marble Bookstore
- Entertainment includes a handmade costume contest, performance of "Potter tunes" by The Marauders, games and Potter crafts.
Tennessee
Harry Potter Release Parties in Tennessee
- Memphis - Barnes and Noble
- Four B&N locations in the Memphis area will be holding Midnight Magic parties. Participating stores include Bookstar on Poplar Ave. as well as the locations on Winchester Blvd and Germantown Pkwy. Check the store locator link for specific activities.
Texas
Harry Potter Release Parties in Texas
- El Paso - Barnes and Noble
- Photos with Harry Potter, costume contest and "If You Were Writing Harry" contest.
Washington
Harry Potter Release Parties in Washington
Please see comments for another bookstore added (there wasn't a link available for the store) to the Washington area.
- Leavenworth - A Book For All Seasons
- NOTE: Party only open for those that have pre-ordered the book from "A Book For All Seasons", so you better get yours because this sounds like a party not to miss! Also, this is an "Independent Muggles for Harry Potter Sweepstakes" participatory store.
Activities include BYOB - Bring Your Own Broom Quidditch, a Snape: Good or Bad Vote and a Hogwarts Banquet Buffet (serving Pumpkin Pastries, star-shaped sugar cookies, Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, Wizard worms (colorful liquorices), chocolate frogs, and other Harry-themed food).
The store will also be "transformed" into different locales. The entryway will be guarded by Death Eaters as they enter Hogwart's Castle. Wizards can also visit The Gryffindor Common Room and The Forbidden Forest. - Seattle - University Bookstore
- From their official site: "Pick up your Marauder's Map at the front door and navigate your way through Diagon Alley, complete with Honeydukes, Ollivanders, Flourish & Blotts, Gringotts, Quality Quidditch Supplies, Gambol and Japes, Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, and The Leaky Cauldron."
Activities include Quidditch, live music, potion making classes and a screening of scenes from "The Wizard Rockumentary: A Movie About Rocking and Rowling."
Know of a Harry Potter Release Party Near You? Leave Me a Note!
Or if you just want to say hi, do that as well.
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zamhaziq
very interesting lens, i like harry potter , 5 star Posted July 26, 2007 |
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blondeheroine
Thanks! I hope you had a blast! It sounds like fun. :) Posted July 24, 2007 |
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KimGiancaterino
You did some fine research here. This will be as sad as saying goodbye to The Sopranos! Posted July 20, 2007 |
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alikelystorybooks
Washington DC area - A Likely Story Children's Bookstore (Alexandria, VA) and 20 other Old Town businesses will be celebrating the release of book 7. From 8pm to 12am on Friday (7/20), businesses from along King Street will bring the books to life by with shops, classes, and scenes from the series. Posted July 15, 2007 |
What Happens After July 21st?
After July 21st, this lens will become a sort of scrapbook for the events that took place on the day of the release. So, if you have photos, videos or memories you'd like to showcase here, please send me a note!
