Harry Potter fans Friday night.
Small, locally owned bookstores and comparatively impersonal, big-box chains are hosting festivities to mark the release of the last book in the magical series by author J.K. Rowling. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” will be released at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
Even Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, is brewing some homespun fun. are hosting parties “in the rear of the store(s) for ultimate privacy.” The celebrations will start at 8 p.m. with showings of Harry Potter movies, munchies and trivia and costume contests.
To help keep the book’s highy guarded ending a secret, Wal-Mart is giving book buyers “apothecary earplugs” and urging everyone for others.
At Simon Says Read, a brightly decorated children’s bookshop in Denver’s Stapleton neighborhood, there will be balloons, costume contests and light refreshments. Handmade, wooden wands will be sold to benefit the American Cancer Society. Saleswoman Collette Shaughnassy explains the fun and magic of Harry Potter in this video.
