Harry Potter Release Party

Due to fortuitous timing, Conestoga will once again be hosting a Harry Potter Release
Party for the seventh and final book in the series. At midnight (on July 21) books will be available for sale. The party will start late Friday evening (July 20).

We have a full evening of activities planned to lead up to the Harry Potter Release. At 8:30, we’ll have a performance by Middle Eastern Dance Troop, Ravenar. (That’s belly dancers to you and me.) Generally they put together a themed show. Last year it was pirates. This year we’re not sure if it will be vampire themed to celebrate our Guest of Honor’s work (Laurell K. Hamilton) or Harry Potter themed. They usually keep it a surprise up until the day of the event.

After their set, we’ll give the stage over to four fan oriented musical groups. We’ll start with Queen’s Gambit, a Renaissance Faire favorite, seg into a performance by Cedric of The Bedlam Bards. Cedric is a famous composer of Firefly influenced songs as well as some really crowd pleasing stuff (depending on the ages present, it may get a little randy). After that, we have two singers who have been featured on the Dr. Demento show: Eric Coleman and Lukeski. Both are favorites with the college crowd and write very funny stuff. At 11:00 p.m. the music will wind down and we’ll reset quickly for the Harry Potter fun.

Attendees will be able use the sorting hat to be assigned a “house” and play against one another in a trivia contest. We’ll have Bertie Botts every flavor beans and chocolate frog favors. There will be “Hogwarts Students” and “Professors” in attendance, and even an owl (courtesy The Royal Gauntlet). At midnight everyone will be able to line up for their book. Based on our last event, folks clear out quickly afterwards to sneak in at least a chapter or two (if not the entire thing), before bed.