Naperville under Harry's spell
Thousands to attend bash for final book
There's no need for a summoning spell to bring people to downtown Naperville for The Party That Shall Not Be Named.
Organizers of the Harry Potter-themed event said they expect more than 70,000 people to attend - and they're ready.
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"It's going to be fun. It's definitely going to be magical," said Susan Greenwood, community relations coordinator for the Naperville Public Library.
It's also going to be big.
To date, 65 organizations, including the library, have signed up to host activities downtown in celebration of the release of the seventh and final Harry Potter book, said Downtown Naperville Alliance Executive Director Patti Roberts.
The event will begin at noon July 20 and end after the official release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," at 12:01 a.m. July 21.
Its precursor, Muggle Magic, attracted 37 vendors and about 50,000 people for the June 16, 2005, release of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." Organizers had expected 10,000.
"Last time we had as many people in one day as we have in a month (at the library), and we handled it," Greenwood said.
On an average day, 8,000 people visit downtown Naperville.
During Muggle Magic, the surprising number of people downtown forced the Naperville Police Department to close additional roads after the event began. This year, organizers plan to close Jefferson Avenue between Eagle and Washington streets, and Webster Street, from the library to the entrance of the Paw Paw parking lot, from 2 p.m. July 20 to 1 a.m. July 21.
Additional police officers will be assigned to downtown during the event, and the Naperville Fire Department will have emergency medical services on hand.
Roberts said she encourages people to park at the Burlington Lot, North Central College and Naperville North High School in addition to the 3,400 public and private parking spaces downtown. A trolley will circle the downtown area and pick up walkers.
"Last time, people parked and found a way to get down here," she said. "They just parked and walked. That's how devoted fans are."
Roberts isn't the only one who thinks downtown Naperville is as ready to handle the crowds as Harry Potter's studious friend Hermione Granger is for any wizarding exam.
Candy Purdom, public relations coordinator for event sponsor Anderson's Bookshop, said she expects the line of people wrapped around the store to buy "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" to move as quickly as it did in 2005.
"There will be thousands of people - tens of thousands. And we'll be ready. This is the place to be," Purdom said.
Contact Emily McFarlan at emcfarlan@scn1.com or 630-416-5196.
