Harry Potter's adventures draw to a close this week with final film

Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) battles to the finish in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II,” opening Friday.

Looking back, it seems such a long time ago that a spectacle-wearing boy with an odd facial scar appeared in our Muggle world.

J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and his saga of wizards, spells, friendship and battles against evil first appeared in book form in 1997. For 14 years, the tale of Harry, his friends and his foes have captured audiences.

In many ways the seven books, ending with "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," and the eight films based on them have become the stories of a generation. A child of 12 who picked up "Sorcerer's Stone" when it first was released is now a young adult of 26.

For young readers and their parents - often just as captivated by Harry as their children - the movies were as exciting - if sometimes a bit different - as the books. And for those people who never managed to crack open a Rowling book, the films became their introduction to the Wizarding World.

Now the final scenes of a 10-year film saga come when "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II" opens July 15. As with previous films in the series, it will be aired beginning at midnight at local theaters. Currently Carmike Foothills 12, Halls, Regal Pinnacle, Regal Knoxville Center 10, Carmike Wynnsong and Cinemark Tinseltown are listed to air the film. Check for ticket availability before making plans to attend.

At the library

Celebrate the arrival of the last "Harry Potter" film and mark the end of an era by making a wand, sampling some magical treats and recalling your knowledge of the Wizarding World.

The Fountain City Library, 5300 Stanton Road, will host a Hogsmeade bazaar at 1 p.m. Monday, July 11.

Hogsmeade, for Muggles not familiar with the settings of Rowling's books, is a town near Potter's wizarding school.

Wendy Rogers, who works at the Fountain City branch and is on the library's teen services committee, is organizing the event. It's set up rather like a bazaar that would promote the various shops in Hogsmeade. There'll be refreshments like chocolate "frogs" and pretzel wands. Would-be wizards can make quill pens and other Potter-inspired crafts.

Rogers says she thinks pre-teens and teenagers will be interested in the event but all ages are welcome. Wands, invisibility capes or other costumes are not required, and no registration is needed.

A "Potter" fan herself, Rogers sees the appeal of the series still, 14 years after the first, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," was published. "The books are still really popular; they still get checked out all the time."

Amy McRary may be reached at 865-342-6437.

© 2011, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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