Grab your magic wand and Nimbus 2000. Harry Potter?s flying into Baltimore City.
The “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows” Knight Bus Tour will stop at the Southeast Anchor branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library on Friday.
“When we first heard about [the bus coming], we were terribly excited,” Pratt Director of Communications Roswell Encina said. “We felt like kids.”
The bus, based on the enchanted triple-decker bus that transports wizards in the “Harry Potter” books, began its tour in New York City on June 1.
The Pratt is encouraging children and adults to dress as their favorite characters, and it will provide activities such as decorating wands and making wizard hats. The library will be decorated in scenes from the “Potter” books.
The Pratt is expecting 200 to 300 people at the event, said Deborah Taylor, coordinator of school and student services. “We are judging from other pop culture events, like our ?Star Wars? event, which drew about 300 kids,” she said. “But since this is over the course of three hours and we will have activities beforehand, it may be a lot more.”
Children will be invited aboard the Knight Bus to share their thoughts and feelings about the “Harry Potter” books. “We know that one of the most incredible things about ?Harry Potter? is the amazing discussion that it ignites among fans of all ages,” said Lisa Holton, president of Scholastic Trade and Book Fairs, in a statement.
Children need to have a written waiver from their parent or guardian before boarding the bus, and the parent or guardian must attend the event. The Pratt encourages parents to register before the day of the event, as Scholastic will only allow 200 children on the bus during the three-hour event.
The excitement has spread from book readers to the Pratt staff.
“I really admire what [J.K. Rowling, author of the ?Harry Potter? books] is trying to achieve,” Taylor said. “She took a tried-and-true fantasy and added elements that made it new, which generates attention not just with kids but with adults as well.”
IF YOU GO
“The Harry Potter and The Deathly Hollows” Knight Bus Tour
» Venue: Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Ave., Baltimore
» Times: 2 to 5 p.m. Friday
» Tickets: Free
» More info: www.prattlibrary.org
