BY JESSALYN KIRCHHOFF
This evening, the Hays Public Library is hosting a “Harry Potter Family Night”. The event will take place from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at the Hays Public Library in the Schmidt Gallery and is open to all members of the community.
Sara Doyle, the learning experience coordinator at HPL, said a strong theme of the Harry Potter series would shine through.
“At Harry Potter Family Night, participants will be sorted into their Houses and will compete to win the House Cup. Activities will include trivia, Free Dobby Sock Toss, and a scavenger hunt,” Doyle said. “There will also be snacks, including Chocolate Frogs, Butterbeer Popcorn Balls, Pretzel Wands, and Felix Felicis Lemonade.”
Doyle goes on to explain why she believes the Harry Potter night will be successful as well as the reasoning behind making this a family-type event saying many readers discover their love of reading through the Harry Potter series.
“So Harry Potter Night is a way to celebrate the series. Our Harry Potter Night is family-friendly because many of the readers that grew up with the series now have families of their own and are passing the love on to their children,” Doyle said.
October will also feature a number of events at HPL that community members can look forward to.
“We have tons of activities in October that we are excited about,” Doyle said. “On Saturday [October 1], we have an all-ages Oktoberfest celebration, with music provided by The Hotshots polka band, bierocks by Western Sunset Creations, and German desserts by Augustine’s Bakery.”
Doyle also spoke about another upcoming agriculture-themed event, which will take place on October 15.
According to Doyle, the day will kick off with author Lindsay Metcalf doing a special storytime at 10 a.m., where she will talk about agricultural literacy and read a sneak peek from her upcoming release, Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm.
At noon, HPL will be hosting a Touch a Tractor event in conjunction with Carrico Implements, where families can get up close and personal with tractors and eat a hot dog lunch.
On October 27, HPL will host a presentation about the 1979 farmer protest against unfair pricing for their products. There will also be a presentation called “Pandemic on the Prairie,” a Humanities Kansas program discussing the 1918 influenza epidemic.
Finally, at the end of October, HPL will also be participating in the Trick or Treat on the Bricks on Halloween sponsored by The Bricks in Downtown Hays.
“We will have a story stroll, a movie and cider, Baba Yaga’s hut, and many other activities,” Doyle said.
For more Hays Public Library events, check out the monthly calendars at https://hayslibrary.evanced.info/signup/Calendar .