Harry Potter works his magic on Yuma

Magic was afoot in Yuma when the witching hour struck Friday night and bands of book-hungry Muggles finally got an answer to their most fervent incantations.

That's when they finally got their mitts on the much-anticipated - and final - Harry Potter book.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" roared into town in great style, its arrival heralded by three sizable parties around town. Barnes and Noble Booksellers and Hastings Books Music and Videos both held their traditional release parties, while the Yuma Main Library hosted a special Harry Potter-themed sleepover.

All three locations unveiled the books precisely at midnight, a strict requirement of the publisher.

The hordes of costumed fans running about at Friday's party certainly gave Halloween a run for its money. Wire-rimmed glasses were the going fashion and wands were certainly a must.

Both stores quickly agreed that this installment of the super-popular book series earned the biggest crowds organizers have seen since the phenomenon began.

"The whole place was full. We were at capacity," said Susan Richards, store manager at Barnes and Noble. "We definitely saw more people. People really showed their colors for the last book."

Hastings boasted about 400 kids and adults by closing time, according to store manager Brin Hofer. "Last time we had about 250."

Neither store would release exactly how many Harry Potter books were sold that night, citing a corporate decision not to confirm that information.

The Yuma Main Library gave away a copy of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" at midnight and presented 13 more copies to be checked out by lucky patrons.

The library threw its party exclusively for teens who completed the library's summer reading program. About 20 boys and girls, ages 12-17, took part in the sleepover that ran from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday.

"These are all library kids, all avid readers who come here a lot," said librarian Teresa Copeland, who organized the event. "Many are neighborhood kids and the library is their hangout."

Most activities at the library had quieted down by 11 p.m. as everyone started focusing their growing excitement on the big unveiling at midnight. The kids had already enjoyed activities such as a clue hunt and trivia contest, both deciding the winners of two very special prizes.

"We don't have lights-out at these things," Copeland said, smiling. "At our last Harry Potter party, it was 5 a.m. and half of them were sleeping, but we had some stalwart souls that were still playing the video game 'Dance Dance Revolution.'"

But another activity was likely to rule all others: reading.

"A lot of them will probably stay up all night reading," Copeland said.

Two such all-nighters were the winners of those two special prizes: a young lady and lad who racked up the most points during the contests.

For coming in first place, Becky Chaffee was awarded her very own copy of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." For his second-place achievement, Anthony Carroll won the right to be first in line to check out a copy of the book.

"I'm so excited!" Chaffee, 17, squealed shortly before midnight. "I can't wait to open my book and start reading it!"

Her book was literally being stored under lock and key prior to the unveiling, kept on display inside a locked metal box.

"Every time someone goes to touch it, I say 'No, get away from my book,'" Chaffee said, sharing what her thoughts would be when the big moment arrived. "I'll be thinking 'Give me that book. I need it in my hands!'"

She added that in case things didn't work out well at the library party, she also had a Plan B in place.

"I have a copy reserved at Hastings, too!" Chaffee said, adding that she'll probably give that one to a friend.

Anthony Carroll, also 17, said he was jazzed to be know he'd be leading the line.

"I get to laugh at everyone as I start reading and I'll probably be finished by morning," Carroll said. "I plan on doing nothing else tonight. I'm going to be going on a Harry Potter binge with massive amounts of root beer and Dr(no period) Pepper."

Having a celebrity book like a Harry Potter installment truly meant some exciting fun and games for librarians last week. Copeland shared some behind-the-scenes details about the highly irregular way such an anticipated book must be handled.

First off, the library was required by the publisher and distributor to sign agreements that they would not allow a sneak peek for anyone prior to midnight. The books arrived Wednesday and were kept inside locked bins tucked away at the library's storage/acquisition building.

"Thankfully the acquisition department is not in the Harry Potter demographic," Copeland said, chuckling. "Most of the processing is done by retired ladies whose preferred genre is Janet Evanovich."

Harry's star treatment continues as he's hurried past fellow new arrivals, which often take at least a week to get into circulation.

"It's only Harry we would treat like this," Copeland said. "He gets catalogued the same day he arrives."

The librarian marveled that America hasn't seen a coast-to-coast craze over books like this in a long, long time.

"I don't think we've seen this type of fervor for a book release since the since the 19th century when people waited on the docks for Dickens being shipped from England. That (author J.K.) Rowling was able to create all this, when there is much more competition for people's attention, that's truly the real magic."

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Darin Fenger can be reached at dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.