All Aboard the Hogwarts Express: Library Throws a Harry Potter Party

Muggles united under a unified Hogwarts crest at the S Thursday afternoon as the facility hosted a special Harry Potter party in anticipation of the release of the new movie next week.

“It’s just a fun thing for the kids to do,” said Sue A. Mihalic, assistant library director, who was running the event. “I think they enjoy it.”

The afternoon started out with a shopping trip down Diagon Alley, where participants could peruse the Magical Menagerie, Eeylops Owl Emporium and Ollivander’s wand shop – while sampling Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans -- on their way to Platform 9 ¾ and their Hogwarts experience.

Once inside, Mihalic and a bevy of summer reading program volunteers, helped students get sorted into the correct house and prepare their Hogwarts ties before attending classes.

The first class was Potions, which showed students how to make green “goop” and how to explode a soda in a magnificent waterfall.

Next came Divination and a special trivia class, where students answered questions from the movies.

Michael Komajda, 8, of Warren, couldn’t contain himself during the trivia portion.

“I know all the answers,” he said. “They’re not answering fast enough. They should just let me answer.”

After classes were suspended for the day, the houses were separated into two groups, with half the students wandering out into the library for a Harry Potter-themed scavenger hunt while the others remained inside for an impromptu Quidditch match.

Angelique Antoon, 13, of St. Clair Shores, dressed up as Bellatrix Lestrange for the festivities. The local youth is part of the summer reading program at the library and enjoys volunteering for the various events the facility hosts throughout the summer.

“I’m having a lot of fun,” she enthused. “It’s been really great. I’m having as much fun as the kids.”

Nicholas Kallebs, 16, an Eastpointe resident who is also part of he summer reading program agreed.

“I remember attending Harry Potter stuff here when I was younger and now I’m helping out,” he said. “It’s fun all around. I like how much fun the kids are having.”

Tanya Whitmore, a longtime resident of St.. Clair Shores, brought her son to the party. She said that once he heard about it he couldn’t be kept away.

“I tried to talk him into going to the beach because it was so nice out today but all he wants to talk about right now is Harry Potter,” she said. “He really loves the books and movies and he really wanted to be here.”

The library hosted the first Harry Potter party at 2 p.m., welcoming 32 participants. Another party was scheduled for 7 p.m., with 35 students expected to attend that session.

“We’ve had a lot of interest,” Mihalic said. “It’s a lot of fun for everyone.”

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