Witches and wizards of Ole Miss, you are hereby invited to attend the first annual Harry Potter Book Night at the Student Union Barnes & Noble. Look forward to crafting wands, finally receiving your Hogwarts acceptance letter and mingling with other muggles who share your love for The Boy Who Lived.
On Thursday, the Student Union will play host to one of the first ever global Harry Potter Book nights, where the Potterheads of Oxford can gather together for a magical evening of wicked fun. Theresa Hannah, trade supervisor at the Ole Miss Bookstore and main organizer of the event, is thrilled to be bringing Harry Potter fans together.
“I’m hosting the party on behalf of the Ole Miss Bookstore,” Hannah said. “I learned about it when the publisher sent out the call and immediately wanted in.”
In an effort to introduce a new generation of readers to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, UK publisher Bloomsbury has called upon bookstores around the globe to come together for one night and celebrate all things magical. The event at the Union bookstore will take place in the afternoon from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will include trivia, costume contests, crafts and games.
“Everyone is invited to participate,” Hannah said. “I’ve had interest from all kinds of fans, young and old, so I expect a pretty good mix.”
Harry Potter has united a wide variety of fans and enthusiasts over the years since the publication of “The Sorcerer’s Stone” in 1997. Though the last book was published in 2007 and the final movie was released in 2011, fans of the series have continued to keep the characters alive and well. One avid Potterhead, Rachel Whitehorn, explained why she believes the Potter books continue to have such a profound impact on fans today.
“The major themes of bravery and friendship are universal and will never go out of style,” Whitehorn said. “J.K. Rowling created an immensely detailed world with relatable characters who feel like old friends to those of us who still wish for an acceptance letter to Hogwarts.”
Lovers of the Harry Potter series will likely all share having dressed up for a midnight premier or book release party in the past. Although the series is long over, it is the goal of this book night to give old and new readers a chance to encourage literacy and experience the magic of J. K. Rowling’s elaborate fantasy world with not only the Ole Miss community but with the entire world. Members of the Ole Miss student body and faculty along with Oxford locals are expected to attend the event.
But besides a night of fun and games, it’s also important to acknowledge that Harry Potter fans are trying to do more than just get a new generation of kids to dress up in pointy hats and robes. In promoting the readership of Harry Potter, fans are also supporting the moral pillars they believe Rowling’s characters stood up for time and time again in the novels. Many Potter fans are members of a group called the Harry Potter Alliance, which raises money and volunteers to help with philanthropic efforts. Hannah said the group is one of the reasons she is proud to be a Potterhead.
“Most recently they won a fight to make sure that the chocolate marketed by Warner Bros. under the Harry Potter name is all fair trade — that it doesn’t exploit farmers or use child labor,” Hannah said. “They care about kindness and equality, and it’s kind of inspiring. I’ve never seen a group of fans that are so passionate about being good to other people.”
Ghostlight Repertory Theatre, a company made up of Ole Miss students, has also volunteered to work at the event.
“They have kindly volunteered to provide dramatic readings from the first book as well as help us run the event by doing things like refereeing the wizard duels,” Hannah said.
Whitehorn said the Barnes & Noble in the Union reached out to Ghostlight Repertory Theatre’s advisor and asked if Ghostlight would like to participate.
“They could not have asked a more willing group,” said Whitehorn, Ghostlight’s artistic director. “We have recruited volunteers to help facilitate the event, and we have tried to promote the event to anyone and everyone who’s interested.”
There is certainly something everyone can enjoy at the Harry Potter Book Night, including a photo booth and refreshments for Potter supporters.
Volunteer Taylor McHugh said she jumped at the chance to be a part of the evening and is excited to man the trivia station along with her friend.
“I was sitting in the theater building with my friend Rachel when she told me Ghostlight Repertory Theatre was doing a Harry Potter night,” McHugh said. “I love the series more than anything I’ve ever read. I asked to be a part of it before she told me that they needed volunteers.”
For McHugh, her connection with the story comes from seeing a bit of herself in every character.
“The Harry Potter series is about the growth of childhood and how the choices we make change your life forever,” she said. “From the beginning of the books you are enthralled with wonder of the magical world. J.K. Rowling creates a place of joy and heartache – one can’t survive without the other.”
