Magic will be in the air this Thursday night from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Ole Miss Bookstore on Jackson Avenue as they celebrate every wizard and witch’s favorite holiday, international Harry Potter Book Night.
Bloomsbury Publishing, the publisher of J.K. Rowling’s widely popular Harry Potter series, started Harry Potter Book Night to honor the series internationally and calls it “the most magical night of the year.” Ole Miss Bookstore will join thousands of venues worldwide as they partake in the festivities tonight.
“We did two while we were in the Union,” department manager Katie Wallace said. “When we moved here last year, we didn’t have one. This year we’re making up for it.”
The theme for this year’s book night is “Fantastic Beasts,” and the store will be decorated Hogwarts-style. Hogwarts acceptance letters will be delivered by “owl post,” which are balloons with drawn-on owl faces, before event-goers will be sorted into Hogwarts houses. There will be a costume contest and craft stations where children can make their own wands and other games and activities available, as well as snacks.
“It is a celebration of all things Harry Potter,” Wallace said. “There’s something for everyone.”
Though this will be the fourth annual Harry Potter Book Night held by Ole Miss Bookstore, this will be the first in its new location on Jackson Avenue.
“I believe that this year, we’re going to have a greater part of the community come out, not just the college kids, since there is easier access to us here on Jackson,” Wallace said.
The event is a family-friendly event and will have activities for witches, wizards and Muggles alike of all ages.
“There’s always a good cross-section of the community that comes out,” assistant store manager Theresa Hannah said. “Everyone has always meshed so well. I hope to see that same great turnout that we have year after year.”
