Moscow Muggles prep for last ride with Harry Potter

This Friday night will be delightfully magical, as Moscow locals prepare for one of the biggest events in publishing history.
As the release of the much anticipated seventh and final Harry Potter book approaches, fanatics will soon be faced with a difficult decision — which of the many release parties should they attend?
Many businesses on the Palouse will be throwing parties for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” but for those who would like to stay near campus, you won’t have to go far.
The University of Idaho Bookstore will host their party from 10 p.m. until the last book is sold – but don’t worry, they have plenty on hand.

Included in the festivities are games, treats, prizes and unlike other Potter parties real-life owls provided by the Washington State University Raptor Club.
“There will be two great horned owls and one other (species),” said marketing and retail supervisor, Patty Carscallen. “People can take photos with them provided things aren’t too chaotic.”
BookPeople in downtown Moscow plans to celebrate the release with an outdoor party.

The store will provide a wizard hat piñata, a Bertie Botts jelly bean taste-testing contest and a sorting house event in front of the store.
Owner Bob Greene said he expects more than 400 people to arrive, and with all guests partying outside, some may spill into the streets.
“We are expecting about two people per book,” Greene said. “I’ve made a request for the street to be blocked off. …We want to keep things under control.”

People will not be allowed inside the store until moments before the “wizards’ hour” at exactly 12:01 a.m., Greene said.
Greene plans to keep the store open as late as necessary.
“As long as people are there, the store will be open,” he said.
Entertainment superstore Hastings will also host an earlier release party beginning at 8 p.m..

Events will include a potions test, trivia contest and “kid-friendly” butter beer, which all lead up to the costume contest at 10 p.m.
The winner of the contest will be placed first in line to receive a free copy of Deathly Hollows.
According to Hastings Store Manager, Courtney McDaniel, U.S. Potter publisher Scholastic has required no book be sold before 12:01 a.m. – winner of the contest included. With a full staff and two lines per register, however, McDaniel expects to have most people served by 1:30 a.m.

Although all businesses remain confident that they have an ample supply of Potter books on hand, they all recommend reserving a book to insure that no Potter fan will go back to their “Muggle” lives empty-handed.