Jared Cowan
Two phrases that should always be spoken in a spell to summon loads of wizards, witches and Muggles are “Harry Potter” and “free.” A spell such as this was magically cast on Saturday at the Last Bookstore's Harry Potter Night. The Facebook event page said that 18,000 people were interested in the event and that almost 5,000 people planned to attend. While there weren't anywhere near that number of people on hand, there were easily hundreds who formed a line outside the store's main entrance on Fifth Street; like Slytherin House's mascot, the queue snaked around the building and down Spring Street. Unfortunately, not everyone, even those with the ability to Apparate, made it into the bookstore because it quickly filled to capacity. However, those who lined up early and got inside were treated to some Harry Potter music from folk Renaissance band Blackhaven, a hysterical set from Harry Potter improv group The Show That Shall Not Be Named, and a spectacular costume contest. All photos by Jared Cowan.
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