By Ted Slowik
In little more than a week, Naperville will throw the Midwest's biggest Harry Potter party to coincide with the release of the series' final book. "The Party That Shall Not Be Named" is expected to draw 60,000 to 80,000 people downtown, as dozens of merchants dress up in costumes and temporarily change the names of their stores to cash in on the wizard wonderland craze.
It should be fun, especially for kids, but logistically I wonder if there will be enough bathrooms and parking for everyone.
Are you planning to brave the crowds and venture out the night of July 20 to get your copy of the book as soon as it becomes available? And what do you think of all the Harry Potter hoopla surrounding the release of the fifth movie and seventh book just 10 days apart? Are you so excited you can't get enough Harry, or at this point are you all Pottered out?
My kids are looking forward to the downtown party. We went two years ago and it was very enjoyable. Being part of the experience is a thrill they will always remember.
I cannot wait. Seriously, cannot wait. Truth be told, I'm not even that big of a Harry Potter fan, but I wish I had a third arm so I could give not two but three thumbs up to this event as a whole.
I think it is absolutely unbelievably awesome that Naperville is holding an entire festival for what more or less amounts to promoting children reading books. The last time a Harry Potter book was released, I wasn't aware of the celebration until I was driving in downtown Naperville and wondered why there were so many people out!
This year however, I've told absolutely everyone I know who has kids or even a remote interest in Harry Potter...
I can't wait to see how huge the book release is going to be for Naperville.