Library celebrates birthday of ‘the boy who lived’

CULLMAN, Ala. – Students from the Hogwarts Houses of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin took control of the Cullman County Public Library on Wednesday, July 31, as part of the library’s birthday celebration for the literary character Harry Potter.

Cullman County Public Library System Director Amber Thornton and Assistant Director Shelby Creekmore had the idea to transform the inside of the library into the Great Hall, complete with a Potions Class and Polyjuice Punch.

“We are so glad you all came out to celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday with us!” Thornton smiled as she took in the crowd. “We are going to start by singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Harry Potter and then we have some cake and some Polyjuice Potion Punch for you today.”

Attendees were invited to sign in for the event before heading off to the tables set with crayons and Harry Potter- and Hogwarts-inspired coloring sheets. Others flocked to the photo backdrops and many props and sets in the library’s main area. Robes and wands flashed as spells were cast and defenses thrown.

Library staff came prepared with Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans and Hagrid’s trademark  “Happee Birthdae Harry” neon pink confection of a cake. Children ate and drank like witches and wizards at the Three Broomsticks.

The morning event also touted many other events and activities for the Muggle-born attendees, like a Potions Class that saw children making sand art bottles to mimic magical potions to be used at a later date, a costume contest to reveal the best lookalikes and should-be wizards and Harry Potter trivia to test the knowledge of superfans and possibly secure an invitation to Hogwarts, to be brought by an owl.

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