Muggles and others will celebrate Harry Potter at “The Party That Shall Not be Named” this month in La Grange.
The party on July 30 will mark the release of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child—Parts One & Two,” a play that opens in London on the same day and goes on sale as a book around the world on the following day.
The play is set 19 years after the last installment of the Harry Potter novels. It features Harry, now married and the father of three, as an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic. His youngest son, Albus, is on his way to Hogwarts but resistant to carrying on the family legacy.
Merchants in La Grange are planning special events and activities tied to the magical world of Harry Potter. The fun will take place from noon to midnight and will include a Horcrux Hunt, costume and trivia contests, magical arts and crafts such as wand-making workshops, photo opportunities and magically-themed food and beverages including butterbeer and adult potions.
Local businesses displaying a lighting bolt will be participating in a Horcrux Hunt. Party-goers can find the hidden horcrux at each participating business to be entered into a special raffle to win a magical prize.
Anderson’s Bookshop, along with other booksellers across the US, is making the script available on July 31.. Since April, Anderson’s has been pre-selling the books for pick-up at midnight. Launch parties will also be held at Anderson’s Bookshops in Naperville and Downers Grove on the same day.
Jordan Arias, assistant manager at Anderson’s in La Grange, said they’ve already gotten a lot of preorders for the new script bound in a book.
“We’ve gotten a ton,” she said. “It’s going to be big. This is the first book that’s been released in nine years.”
She said there is a lot of pent up demand.
“People are so thrilled that something is coming out of the universe that J.K. Rowling created.”
She noted that the day on which the book will be available — July 31 — is both Rowling’s and Potter’s birthday.
During the party, visitors can stroll through La Grange to visit all of the magical merchants. A map of participating locations and events will be available.
Potter party
Here’s the line-up of activities at merchants in La Grange:
Anderson’s Book Shop
Magical Name: Flourish and Botts
26 S. La Grange Rd.
10-11 a.m. Live portraits with members of LATTE theatre.
5 p.m. Costume contest (ages 0-8)
6 p.m.: Costume contest (ages 9-14)
7 p.m. Costume contest (ages 15-18)
8 p.m. Costume contest (ages 19+)
8 p.m. Wands and Spells Class
9 p.m. to midnight Trivia
9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: Live Raptor Presentation
10:30 to 11:30 p.m.: Fortune telling with Professor Trelawney, All Day Prediction Wall
La Grange Art League
Magical Name: The Great Hall of Art
122 Calendar Court
1- 4 p.m. Magical Arts and Crafts
Bottle and Bottega
Magical Name: Luna Lovegood’s Art Emporium
1 W Harris Ave.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pick Your Own Canvas — All Ages
2-5 p.m. Adult sessions
6-9 p.m. Adult sessions
Chimera’s Comics
Magical Name: Chimera’s Hero Haven
19 S. La Grange Rd.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Heroclix Tournament
2 p.m. Magic the Gathering Tournament
5-8 p.m. Open Game Play (bring your own)
Fireside Wood-Fired Pizza
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Magical Name: Fiendfyre Oven
18 W. Harris Ave.
Pizza inspired by Madam Sprout’s Herbology Class
Family Vision Care
Magical Name: Oculus Reparo
100 Calendar Court
Themed glasses for the first 50 people
Magical raffle
Isn’t That Sweet Magical Name
Twilfitt and Tatting’s
21A S. La Grange Rd.
Themed Goodies
La Burona Vita
Magical Name: Peverell Brother’s Bistro
14 Calendar Court
Adult Wizard Beverages
La Grange Public Library
Magical name: The Library
10 W. Cossitt Ave.
1-4 p.m. Olivander’s Wand Workshop
3-5 p.m: Green Screen Photo Op (at studio 10 west)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Movies on the Big Screen
Linnea’s Jewelers
Magical name: Olivander’s
23 S. Ashland Ave
Wand making, magical charms, the Snitch’s home
6 9 p.m. Trivia
Olivaceto
Magical Name: Madam Puddifoot’s
77 S. La Grange Rd.
Butterbeer Ice Cream
Felix Felics Lucky Potion
Owl and Lark
Magical name: Errol and Hedwig’s
41 S. La Grange Rd.
Witchy Menu Items
Red Mango
Magical Name: Dervish and Banges
81 S. La Grange Road.
Themed treats and drinks inspired by the Glacis Charm
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Magical name: Honeyduke’s
50 S. La Grange Road.
Magical Menu
Salon 180
Magical name: Mr. Mulpepper’s Apothecary
27 S. Ashland Ave.
Broomstick making
Steak + Vine
Magical name: The Three Broomsticks
37 S. La Grange Road
4 p.m. to midnight: Hearty Fare and Tavern Food
Tate’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor
Magical name: Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor
25 S. Ashland Ave.
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Themed Ice Cream, Butterbeer, Treacle Tarts, Pumpkin Juice
6-9 p.m. Trivia
The Urban Mutt
Magical name: Newt Scamander’s Animal Emporium
31 S. La Grange Road
1-7 p.m. Doggie Costume Photo Shoot
Veni Vidi Val
Magical name: Diagon Alley Desserts
25 S. La Grange Road
Magical desserts and birthday cake served
Photo board
Vino E Birra
Magical name: Platform 9 3/4
18 W. Burlington Ave.
Self-service photo booth
Dragon’s Milk Beer and Dragon’s Breath Wine available
We’re Nuts!
Magical Name: Sugar Plum’s Sweet Shop
15 W. Harris Ave.
Wonderful Wizarding Treats
Wild Monk
Magical name: Half – Blood Hideout
88 S. La Grange Road
Wizarding menu with special alcoholic drinks and magical nosh
For more information, contact Anderson’s Bookshop at 708-582-6353 or check the website at andersonsbookshop.com.
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