Fans go all out for 'Harry' premiere
By Lee Williams
Published in News on July 11, 2007 1:46 PM
Hundreds of eager Harry Potter fans flooded the parking lot of Premiere Theatres around midnight to catch the first showing of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."
Some, including DeAnna Fleming, 16, of LaGrange; Anna Reynolds, 16, Mikel Faasii, 16, Garrett Smith, 16, and Suzanne Watts, 16, all of Kinston; showed no shame as they stood in wait decked in pointy hats and black capes to see their favorite student wizard Harry Potter, Hermione and the Weasleys, and the dark villain, Lord Voldemort.
The group seemed unfazed by the wide-eyed stares they received as they stood in line.
"We had to go all out," Miss Reynolds said as the group nodded in agreement.
"It's a big event," Smith said.
"How could you not dress up?" Miss Watts added.
Some didn't put as much thought into their attire, but their enthusiasm for Harry Potter and the rest of the clan was just as strong.
Miranda Todd, 23, a diehard Harry Potter fan from Goldsboro, brought her 7-year-old niece, Rachel Todd and 12-year-old Casey Stephenson, a friend of the family along for the ride.
When asked whose idea it was to come to the movie, the children teased her and said it was Miranda's idea.
Miranda Todd blushed. Her secret was out, so she decided to admit her secret. She was the true Harry Potter fanatic.
"I enjoy it," she said. "I read every book except the one that hasn't come out yet, but I already got that one on order."
Christy Correll, the theater's general manager, and her staff worked extra hard to ensure the premier went off without a hitch.
They put up white lights and dressed the poles in the lobby to look like trees similar to those seen in the movie. They also posted a movie attendant decked in a wizard cape and a broom at the door to welcome the more than 300 guests who attended the premier.
To further accent the night, the group used music from the Harry Potter's soundtrack to set the mood.
She said if the momentum continues, the movie could turn out to be the biggest hit of the summer.