Laughlin Children’s Center to Host Advanced Screening of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2'

Calling all muggles who are dying to see the last installment of the Harry Potter movie series: The of Sewickley will host an exclusive private screening on Thursday, July 14 -- the night before the movie officially opens -- at the SouthSide Works theater in Pittsburgh.

Tickets are $50 each or $45 each if four or more are purchased. Proceeds from the event will benefit Laughlin’s programs, which include academic, speech, and psychological services for children.

The nonprofit center strives to keep its programs affordable for all families, and this annual fundraiser helps to make that possible.  

The Laughlin Center has hosted a screening of every Harry Potter movie installment since 2001 as its major annual fundraiser. 

Last year, owner Don Reinhardt sponsored a pre-movie costume party, where he served basilisk burgers and more movie-themed food.

During another event, folks from Pittsburgh Zoo and The National Aviary on the North Side were on-hand with owls and snakes. Perhaps the most memorable screening took place at the SouthSide Works' IMAX theater, where motion sickness forced most of the adults to leave in the middle of the movie.

“This year, we’re keeping it simple,” said Doug Florey, ’s executive director. “We're just focusing on the fact that this is the last movie in the series."

Tickets include admission to the movie and free parking in the SouthSide Works garage starting at 5 pm, so filmgoers may arrive early or stay after the movie to enjoy other attractions at the South Side complex, Florey said.

As are many others, said he is excited to see the last of the Harry Potter series but sad that its legacy, as well as this particular fundraising tradition for the center, is ending.

"The movie's tag line is 'It All Ends Here,' which is fitting for the Laughlin Center, too, as we've been following Harry all along,” Florey said.  “This has always been a fun event to plan and attend -- I'll miss Harry, as I'm sure many others will as well."

To purchase tickets for the event, call the Laughlin Center at 412-741-4087. 

For more information about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 click here.  The movie is rated PG-13 for battle scenes throughout the film.