Happy Birthday Bilbo Baggins! Cosplay and celebrate The Hobbit next Saturday in Steubenville

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (WTRF) — It’s almost time to join Gandalf and his elves in taking down Smaug…and you won’t have to go to Middle-Earth to do it.

Steubenville’s 4th Street businesses are bringing back their celebration of J.R.R. Tolkien with National Hobbit Day.

A community potluck will be held on the third floor of Leonardo’s Coffee Shop Saturday, September 21 starting at 6 pm.

But it’s only the start of the fantasy feast, as a story hour, sparklers and music from Faire May will continue late into the evening.

John Kuhner owns the Bookmarx bookstore next door, and says he and other business owners are working hard to make downtown a social hotspot.

“The thing about hobbits is that they are humble and they like food and they like drink and they like their neighbors. And we’ve got a bunch of events like this here in Steubenville where the kernel of it is that people like to get together with their friends and with their neighbors. And then we add on all kinds of other things.”

John Kuhner, Owner, Bookmarx Books

Kuhner himself will give a lecture on the writing of the literary masterpiece.

Admission is $10 and will get you cakes and ale, but entrance is free for young children and those who come in a Lord of the Rings costume.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTRF.