Harry Potter Events and Parties in Connecticut

We are counting down the days until Harry James Potter's date with destiny, which also happens to be July 21st, the publication date of the seventh, and final blockbuster novel from author J.K. Rowling. So far we have read 3341 pages of Harry's story, and a mere 784 pages of a marathon overnight reading session remain.

I have been pouring over Mary Grand-Pre's illustrations searching for clues... Neglecting that growing pile of other great books I promised myself I'd read, I am returning to book six, Half-Blood Prince so that I am caught up in time to catch the Knight Bus to the Mid-night opening at my local Borders. So many questions to be answered. Is professor Snape good or evil? Who will meet their end in the final chapters? Will Harry find the Horcrux in time? Who is the mysterious R.A.B.? Will Hermoine be a bridesmaid at Bill and Fleur's wedding?

Ok, so Bill & Fleur are a little lower on the agenda for me, but like you, I am excited about the final book, and trying to find ways to occupy myself until the big date. So, below are a few of my suggestions, along with the list of Connecticut Harry Potter Parties and events that are happening at Midnight on July 21st.

Quiz Time
While you're waiting take the Ultimate Deathly Hallows Prediction Exam at the Leaky Cauldron, while you're there listen to the Harry Potter Podcast, listen to the audio on your PC, or download it to your MP3 Player. Want to brush up on your Harry Potter 101 or really test your knowledge? Take the Say What Quiz and impress all your friends.


Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Have fun watching previous four Potter movies while you wait.... or go see OOTP, released on July 11th, at a theater near you and join Dumbledore's Army. Get your tickets here.



Harry Potter Events and Parties in Connecticut

The wait is almost over! Booksellers such as Borders, Barnes & Noble, Kmart and a few other independent retailers are staging parties and midnight openings to celebrate the release of Book 7.

I've tried to make this list as comprehensive as possible. If you know of any events that are not on this list, please send me an email.

From outside Connecticut? Find local Harry Potter events here: http://www.scholastic.com/


Borders Presents the Grand Hallows Ball
An evening of wizardly activities, fantastical games, and stupendous giveaways! Get your copy at the stroke of midnight. Below is the list of Borders, Borders Express and Waldenbooks in Connecticut participating in this event on July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am or until the last guest receives their copy.


Danbury
Borders, 110 Federal Road, Danbury, CT 06811
Phone: (203) 798-1100
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Farmington
Borders, 1600 South East Road, Farmington, CT 06032
Phone: (860) 674-8110
Bookclub Discussion of Book Six and the Great Snape Debate. July 13, 7:00 pm
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Fairfield
Borders, 1499 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824
Phone: (203) 256-1619
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Farmington - Westfarms Mall
Borders Express, 433 Westfarms Mall, Farmington, CT 06032
Phone: (860) 521-6579
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Greenwich
Borders Express, 173 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, CT 06830
Phone: (203) 869-6342
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Manchester
Borders, 59 Pavilions Drive, Manchester, CT 06040
Phone: (860) 649-1433
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Meriden
Borders, 470 Lewis Ave., Meriden, CT 06451
Phone: (203) 237-5510
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Milford
Borders, 1201 Boston Post Rd., Milford, CT 06460
Phone: (203) 878-3333
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Simsbury
Borders, 500 Bushy Hill Rd., Simsbury, CT 06070
Phone: (860) 651-7305
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Southbury
Waldenbooks, New Haven Avenue, Southbury, CT 06488
Phone: (203) 264-2324
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Stamford
Borders, 1041 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT 06905
Phone: (203) 968-9700
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Trumbull
Waldenbooks, Main Street, Trumbull, CT 06611
Phone: (203) 374-1182
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Waterbury
Waldenbooks, 495 Union Street, Waterbury, CT 06721
Phone: (203) 597-0125
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Waterford
Borders, 915 Hartford Turnpike, Waterford, CT 06385
Phone: (860) 442-3366
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Waterford - Crystal Mall
Borders Express, 850 Hartford Turnpike, Waterford, CT 06385
Phone: (860) 442-8684
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Westbrook
Borders Outlet, 314 Flat Rock Place, Westbrook, CT 06498
Phone: (860) 399-0019
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Willimantic - Eastbrook Mall
Borders Express, 95 Storrs Rd., Willimantic, CT 06226
Phone: (860) 456-3168
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Wilton
Borders, 14 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897
Phone: (203) 834-0600
Grand Hallows Ball, Friday, July 20, 2007, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am



Barnes & Noble Present Midnight Magic Parties
Parties may include a costume contest, trivia scavenger hunt, magic potion demonstration, amulet and magical creature making, photo opportunities with your favorite characters, and much more.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Enfield
Enfield Commons, 25 Hazard Ave, Enfield, CT 06082
Phone: (860) 745-7315
Midnight Magic Party, Friday, July 20, at 7:00 pm - 1:00 am

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Farmington
1599 South East Road, Farmington, CT 06032
Phone: (860) 678-9494
Midnight Magic Party, Friday, July 20, at 7:00 pm - 1:00 am

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Glastonbury
175 Glastonbury Blvd., Glastonbury, CT 06033
Phone: (860) 657-1636
Midnight Magic Party, Friday, July 20, at 7:00 pm - 1:00 am

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Milford
1375 Boston Post Road, Milford, CT 06460
Phone: (203) 301-0371
Midnight Magic Party, Friday, July 20, at 7:00 pm - 1:00 am

Barnes & Noble Booksellers North Haven
North Haven Crossing, 470 Universal Drive North, North Haven, CT 06473
Phone: (203) 234-1805
Midnight Magic Party, Friday, July 20, at 7:00 pm - 1:00 am

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Waterbury
Brass Mill Commons, 235 Union Street, Waterbury, CT 06706
Phone: (203) 759-7125
Midnight Magic Party, Friday, July 20, at 7:00 pm - 1:00 am

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Canton
The Shoppes at Farmington Valley, 110 Albany Tpk #305,
Canton, CT 06019
Phone: (860) 693-0115
Midnight Magic Party, Friday, July 20, at 8:00 pm - 1:00 am

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Buckland Hills Mall
270 Buckland Hills Dr. Suite 1024, Manchester, CT 06040
Phone: (860) 648-1008
Midnight Magic Party, Friday, July 20, at 8:00 pm - 1:00 am

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Orange Town Center
109 Boston Post Rd, Orange, CT 06477
Phone: (860) 799-1266
Midnight Magic Party, Friday, July 20, at 8:00 pm - 1:00 am

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Norwalk
360 Connecticut Ave, Norwalk, CT 06854
Phone: (203) 866-2213
Midnight Magic Party, Friday, July 20, at 8:30 pm - 1:00 am

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Danbury Square
Danbury Square, 15 Backus Ave, Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: (203) 730-2733
Midnight Magic Party, Friday, July 20, at 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Westport
Post Plaza Shopping Center, 1076 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880
Phone: (203) 221-7955
Midnight Magic Party, Friday, July 20, at 10:00 pm - 1:00 am


Stew Leonards

Muggles and wizards of all ages are invited to Stew Leonard’s for the midnight release of the new Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Enjoy a costume contest, crafts, treats and a first chapter book reading. 40% off the book, and a free soda with purchase.
Friday, July 20, 10:00 pm - 1:00 am

Stew Leonards Norwalk, 100 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851
Phone: (203) 847-7214

Stew Leonards Danbury, 99 Federal Road, Danbury, CT 06811
Phone: (203) 790-8030

Stew Leonards Newington, 3475 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111
Phone: (860) 760-8100
www.stewleonards.com


Kmart stores with with Midnight Openings

Cromwell Kmart,
45 Shunpike Road, Cromwell, CT 06416
Phone: (860) 635-0400
Friday, July 20, 10:00 pm - 1:00 am

Milford Kmart,
589 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford, CT 06460
Phone: (203) 877-6036
Friday, July 20, 10:00 pm - 1:00 am

Southbury Kmart,
100 Main Street North, Southbury, CT 06488
Phone: (203) 264-7227
Friday, July 20, 10:00 pm - 1:00 am

Torrington Kmart,
681 Main Street, Torrington, CT 06790
Phone: (860) 489-1332
Friday, July 20, 10:00 pm - 1:00 am

Vernon Kmart,
295 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, CT 06066
Phone: (860) 872-8391
Friday, July 20, 10:00 pm - 1:00 am

Waterbury Kmart,
881 Wolcott Street, Waterbury, CT 06705
Phone (203) 753-2191
Friday, July 20, 10:00 pm - 1:00 am

Watertown Kmart,
595 Straits Turnpike, Watertown, CT 06795
Phone: (860) 274-9204
Friday, July 20, 10:00 pm - 1:00 am



Independent Booksellers with Midnight Openings

The Book Vault Deathly Hallows Release Party
As with the last Harry Potter book, we are planning a midnight release party, which will begin the night of Friday, July 20th. As before, your ticket into our gala party is the purchase of the book at The Book Vault. Books will be handed out, beginning at midnight, in the order in which they were reserved.
Friday, July 20, 10 pm - 1 am
The Book Vault, 9 North Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492
Phone: (203) 269-7323
www.thebookvault.net/events.html

Just Books Harry Potter Party
Must pre-purchase book to attend event. Fun, games, wand making, movie warching, pumpkin juice, butter beer and other fun Potter stuff.
Just Books, 28 Arcadia Road, Old Greenwich, CT 06870
Phone: (203) 637-0707
Friday, July 20, at 8:00 pm - 12:00 am

The Hickory Stick Bookshop
This is definitely the not to be missed event for Potter fans of all ages. Guess how many disgusting jelly beans are in the jar. How many questions will you be able to answer in the Sorting Hat Trivia Game? Enter our raffle for all kinds of prizes. You have heard all the theories others have suggested, but what do you think will happen in #7? Will we see Dumbledore again? Whose side is Snape on anyway? Can Voldemort be defeated and how? Who will live, who will die? Who will end up with whom? Will Hogwarts reopen? Where are the Horcruxes? Be here to wonder and wait with us.
Friday, July 20, 10:30 pm
The Hickory Stick Bookshop, 2 Green Hill Road, Washington Depot, CT 06794
Phone: (860) 868-0525
www.hickorystickbookshop.com

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Release Party!
The Book Barn is hosting a midnight party for the final installment of the Harry Potter chronicles. A full evening of Harry Potter fun and entertainment! Books will be distributed at 12:01 AM on July 21. Pre-registration is necessary and dressing up is strongly encouraged.
Friday, July 20, 10:30 pm
The Book Barn, 41 West Main St., Niantic, CT 06357
Phone: (860) 739-5715
www.bookbarnniantic.com

Linda's Story Time,
447 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT 06615
Phone: (203) 459-1579
Friday, July 20, 12:00 pm - 1:00 am

Bank Square Books,
53 West Main Street, Mystic, CT 06355
Phone: (860) 536-3795
Friday, July 20, 12:00 pm - 1:00 am

The Yale Bookstore,
77 Broadway, New Haven, CT 06511
Phone: (203) 777-8440
Friday, July 20, 12:00 pm - 1:00 am

Bank St. Book Nook,
50 Bank Street, New Milford, CT 06776
Phone: (860) 354-3865
Friday, July 20, 11:59 pm until the last guest leaves.

Books on the Common,
Copps Hill Common, 109 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877
Phone: (203) 431-9100
Friday, July 20, 12:00 pm - 12:00 am

RJ JULIA HARRY POTTER LAUNCH PARTY
Harry Potter fans of all ages -- this is it! The long-awaited final book in the series, and the final fabulous launch party at R.J. Julia.
Friday July 20, 10:00 pm
RJ Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443
(203) 245-3959
www.rjjulia.com

UConn Co-op Bookstore
Live owls, live music, costume contest, a fortune teller, jugglers, and many surprises. The purchase of a book etitles you and your family to attend. Sign up now. Pre-orders are 30% Off.
Friday, July 20, 10 pm - 1 am
UConn Co-op Bookstore,
2075 Hillside Road, Unit 1019, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
Phone: (860) 486-5027
www.bookstore.uconn.edu



LIBRARY EVENTS

West Hartford Public Library
The West Hartford Public Library is offering a variety of programs this month to celebrate the release of the final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Sunday July 15, 2:00 pm "Magic for Muggles"
Monday July 16, 7:15 pm "Care of Magical Creatures: Iguanas"
Wednesday July 18, 7:00 pm "Legilimency Lessons! "
Thursday July 19, 3:00 pm @ Children's Museum "Dumbledore's Astronomy"
Friday July 20, 8:00 pm @ Borders Books, Farmington - "Wizard's Ball"
Faxon Branch of Library, 1073 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110
Register by calling: (860) 561-8203
www.westhartfordlibrary.org


Harry Potter Day at the New Milford Public Library
Games, crafts and refreshments. Registration required. Call 860-355-1191 ext. 204 for more information.
Wednesday July 18, 1:30 pm
Memorial Hall for grades third grade and up.
24 Main St New Milford, CT 06776
Phone: (860) 355-1191
www.biblio.org/newmilford


Movie & Midnight Release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at Danbury Library
Watch Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azakaban and be one of the 10 lucky winners to receive a free copy of the new book! If not, you might be one of the luck winners to receive the opportunity to check out one of the 25 books reserved just for those attending this program.
Friday, July 20 -- 9:30 pm - Midnight
Harry Potter Trivia Challenge. Compete in one of the four houses and test your knowledge of the seven books. Questions will range from easy to hard and the house who gets the most correct answers will get a prize. No one really loses as we will have fun, snacks and prizes. Dress as your favorite character and test your knowledge.
Thursday, July 26 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm.
Danbury Library 170 Main Street Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: (203) 797-4505
www.danburylibrary.org


Again, please let me remind you, I've tried to make this list as comprehensive and accurate as possible. If you know of any events that are not on this list, but should be, please send me an email.

Linzi
Managing Editor / Muggle
www.ThisIsCT.net
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