Potter mania strikes the Valley

BOARDMAN — Robes, wands, lightning bolts, round wire-rimmed glasses and T-shirts, all proclaiming love for Harry Potter and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, were visible at a Mahoning Valley premiere of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” at Tinseltown USA here.

Dressing like their favorite characters is just one way for fans to show how much they have enjoyed J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series in print and on the big screen.

Katie Callaway, 17, of Boardman said she dressed for the occasion because “Harry Potter is awesome.” Katie had a Potter T-shirt on, but her sister Emily, 16, went all out. So did her friends Valentina Zappia, 17, and Missy Pasquale, 17, both of Boardman.

Those three were dressed and ready to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in knee-high stockings, plaid skirts, white blouses, red ties, robes and wands.

“It’s just more fun [to dress up]. It gets you in the mood, and any chance to dress like them is fun,” Missy said.

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