FARMINGTON — Harry Potter fans around the world are rejoicing following HBO Max’s release of the world-renowned series’ twentieth anniversary reunion special, “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts,” on New Year’s Day. The series was first released in print in 1997 and in theaters in 2001.
The reunion is bringing back a bounty of nostalgia for locals who remember when the series was coming out in real time and the fans – old, young and every age in between – that jumped at the bit for every new book and movie.
The special reunites the cast, directors and major movers to look back on J.K. Rowling’s prolific series about an orphan who learns he is a wizard (and one of the most famous, in fact) and over the course of seven books battles evil forces trying to end the world. It’s hard to summarize the series in one sentence when it’s much, much more than that. The series creates an extensive, vivid universe that evolved over time and became “the highest-selling series of novels ever.”
Of course, the reunion did not come without its controversies given that author Rowling has made what many feel are incredibly offensive comments about transgender people in the last few years.
But amid the controversy, the 20th anniversary has given Farmington the chance to look back on its “Harry Potter mania,” a time when extensive parties were held and creativity was abound among the local bookshop and movie theater.
At Devaney, Doak & Garrett, owner Kenny Brechner remembers reading those first few books and sensing that the world was going to eat them up before they became the major successes they now are.
“I knew it was good, great stuff,” Brechner said. “I enjoyed it and my son loved it.”
Brechner said after reading the first two, he quickly began recommending them to his customers, who are still “extremely grateful” — not just for the reading recommendation, but for purchasing first American editions that are now worth a great deal of money.
Though he found the initial books a bit “derivative,” Brechner was amazed by how the books quickly evolved — as did the fandom surrounding them.
By the third book, Prisoner of Azkaban, Brechner noticed how the series took such a turn and customers started responding in turn.
“That [third book release] was the first time that we had a bunch of people waiting for it to come out,” Brechner said. DDG had people waiting in a queue when the shop opened especially early to sell the new addition to the series.
Book four, The Goblet of Fire, is where things really changed for DDG and locals.
Brechner fondly recalled the lengths at which the bookshop and dedicated locals went to give fans a taste of magic during release season.
DDG began holding book-release parties, where they had stations for customers (kids and adults alike) to take “herbology” and “divination” tests (two subjects at the fictional “Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry”), answer trivia questions and buy the book at midnight.
“We actually did it together with some of the stores’ best customers who kind of worked with us … we brainstormed” Brechner said.
These release parties evolved into elaborate affairs by books six and seven. There was a seven-foot long basilisk cake; final exams in Hogwarts subjects; a fictional resistance group (akin to the series’ “Order of the Phoenix”) called “the Order of Acromantula”; customers and staff dressed up.
The showstopper was an intricate scene in which Ministry of Magic officials arrested Brechner, dressed as a member of the rebellious “Order,” and dragged him out of the store.
The most surprising addition was frames of wanted posters for “Death Eaters” in the storefront. Local figures such as now Gov. Janet Mills (a Farmington native), dressed as Bellatrix Lestrange and other Deather Eaters posed for the wanted poster in the storefront. Unfortunately, Brechner said he doubted any pictures are still around to view.
At Narrow Gauge Cinema, events were also held for the movie releases, especially for the last of the series, owner John Moore said.
Moore and staff decorated the cinema lobby in candles, held a costume party (for staff and fans alike) and other elements unique to the Harry Potter universe.
As the series advanced, Moore said he saw “this built up anticipation” in acquiring tickets, waiting for seats, etc. He added that this is something you don’t see nowadays in a more digital age.
Similar to the Lord of the Rings and Twilight series, Moore said “the really tremendous buildup” led to “people camping out at four or early in the morning.”
“That doesn’t happen anymore, those days are over,” he said.
Moore said that the Harry Potter releases brought about “a sense of happiness and optimism” that was “fun to work with.”
“The [movie] releases didn’t feel like work,” Moore said.
Moore added that they were unifying in a very special way. Brechner agreed.
“We had all ages engaged around a single book,” Brechner said. “It was really special. There was lots of anticipation.”
Brechner said he’s never seen such excitement for a series. He added that he’s also never seen a series unite all generations like Harry Potter. Fans and party attendees, Brechner said, ranged from eight years old to 80 years old.
For his part, Moore feels that he does not see another series with this kind of impact on “the horizon” any time soon.
Brechner agreed that there’s nothing like it nowadays and that the ending — both of the series and excitement DDG got to partake in — was “bittersweet.”
“We felt proud at how it had gone,” Brechner said. “It left a legacy of more reading … [and the releases, parties] reinforced our role and core values of being a community bookstore.”
Especially among the difficulties of the last two years, Moore said the world could use something “as joyous and unifying” as Harry Potter once again.
“You can’t help but compare that time of excitement, wonder, and celebration, really, to where we’re at now,” Moore added. “We could use more Harry Potters in the world right now.”
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