Local theaters drew massive crowds Tuesday night for the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth installment in the Potter saga.
The Athena Grand in Athens and Movies 10 in Nelsonville both sold out all available tickets to the midnight showing - five theaters (a record-breaking 865 people) for the Athena Grand, 10 theaters for Movies 10. Tickets went on sale as early as last week, with both theaters expecting sold-out crowds for the highly anticipated film. In fact, the midnight showing marked the largest premiere crowd at the Athena Grand.
The lines of moviegoers filled the lobby and went out the door at the Athena Grand, while the lines at Movies 10 wrapped around the outside of the building.
Harry Potter fans young and old arrived at the theaters hours in advance to ensure seats with the best views. Tabitha Gibson, a sophomore studying psychology, arrived at the Athena Grand at 9:30 p.m. to be the first in line, even though she had purchased her tickets last week.
We came here two years ago and it was packed
so we wanted to get here early so we'd get good seats she said.
A number of fans dressed up for the event, donning wizard's robes, Hogwarts uniforms and tall pointed hats. Jason Porter, a senior studying audio production, pulled out an old costume from high school for the premiere.
I knew that I would not be the only one so I said 'Why not?' he said.
Ticket holders, who have waited since 2007 for the film, had a lot to look forward to from the cast and crew this time around.
I'm really looking forward to seeing a movie that's more detailed like the books
Gibson said, adding that the high level of detail is what she loved best from J.K. Rowling's books.
It's a really big maturity step in the series
and the preclude to the ending
so it's really exciting
said Porter.
Officials at both theaters worked hard to prepare for the large crowds. At the Athena Grand, employees worked hard to clean the theaters after earlier movies and get the concession stands ready for long lines, according to Kyle Matthewson, the Athena Grand employee watching the front of the lines before seating began.
Everything should be ready to go
he said, mentioning that extra cotton candy, nachos and popcorn had already been made to accommodate hungry viewers.
Through the laughter and tears that the film brought viewers, one could easily see how attached so many had become to Harry, Ron, Hermione and the whole Hogwarts gang. Porter, a long-time Harry Potter fan, explained his attachment to the series.
I read the first Harry Potter when I was 11 and Harry was 11
and I finished the series when I was 17 and Harry was 17
so I kinda grew up with him.
