Dust off your robes and ready your wands as the Cochrane Public Library is hosting a Harry Potter Book Night, an event celebrating all things Harry Potter with this year's theme of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"The Harry Potter Book Night is actually an event that started five years ago," said Andrea Johnston, the Community Outreach and Program Librarian of the Feb. 7 occasion. "We started it to give fans of J.K. Rowling's work a chance to celebrate all thing's (Harry) Potter."
Johnston said the evening will have many Potter-themed celebrations throughout the night, for fans of all ages to enjoy as well as giving newbies a chance to experience the series for the first time.
"This year's theme is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry so we are going to be celebrating in style. We'll start the night off with a sorting ceremony ... the houses are then going to compete in a number of games and activities to be named House Champion," Johnston said.
"We'll have everything from charms class to a trivia final exam and even some low-key activities like colouring pages and a make-your-own button station. The event is all in good fun and just a way for Potter fans to come together, have a laugh, and take part in some truly magical activities."
While Johnston wasn't around during the first inception five years ago, she said the current staff wanted to continue a great tradition.
"I wasn't part of the committee that put this event together, so I'm not really sure where the idea came from. I have to give kudos to one of our patrons who asked us if we were going to celebrate it this year and that's how we first heard about it," Johnston said with a laugh.
"I honestly think Harry Potter is just such a huge phenomenon that any excuse to party and celebrate the series is going to get a lot of attention. This is the current staff's first Harry Potter Book Night and we just really want to make it a fun night that will be memorable for those who attended."
"There is a bit of a competitive edge to the evening as house teams will be taking on one another, something we haven't really done before, but the focus is really to celebrate the books and literacy in general."
Johnston said the staff is very excited about hosting the event and are counting down the days until they're able to sharpen their Potter related skills.
"Well it's no surprise that we have a bunch of Potter-heads at the library. I even let out an audible squeal when one of the staff members brought the suggestion to me," said Johnston.
"We really can't wait to get this party started and we'd love to invite all Cochranites to get out their robes, polish their wands, and make their way down to the library on Feb. 7 because we'll have an amazing night lined up."
