Back in May Justin posted information about the Harry-est Town in America, meaning which city pre-ordered the most copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. (Falls Church, Virginia won.)
Today is the big day, (sort of since it happens at midnight in the U.S.) when the book goes on sale and people can find out exactly what happens to Harry at the end of the series. Around the world Harry Potter mania has already heated up. This article in the International Herald Tribune explains how the coordination among bookstores is supposed to happen–or is happening–or has happened. Frankly, this article confused me. It’s a time zone thing. If you haven’t noticed lately, there are events in the U.S. you can still go to.
If you’re looking for a Harry Potter party tonight in the U.S., the Scholastic Book Web site has a party finder drop down menu. You can also watch J.K. Rowlings moonlight reading starting at 6:50 pm. I’m not sure what she’s going to be reading–I guess the book.
Since my daughter is on a backpacking trip (see post), she’s not going to a party or watching the moonlight reading even though my husband read her the first three books when we lived in Taiwan and she was in the first and second grade. Perhaps I’ll take my son to my favorite Columbus movie theater Studio 35 for their event even though my son is more hooked into Sponge Bob than he is to Harry. He might get a kick of going out late at night, and since I’ve yet to make it to a midnight Harry Potter party, and this is the last book that will come out, why miss a chance?
Friends of mine are taking their kids to the Harry Potter Fest in Penninsula, Ohio. This will include a ride on the Wizard Express, an appropriately decorated Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad train and a trip to the Blue Heron Bookstore where the party will happen. I’d take my daughter, but she’s in the woods.