Many young wizards, some even in costume, appeared before the Sorting Hat on Saturday at the Texarkana Museum of Regional History.
Conjuring up a full month of Harry Potter-centered activity not long after the fictional boy magician's birthday (July 31), the magicians get to enroll in their own Hogwarts before facing the real school year.
The young wizards stand before the Sorting Hat and are organized into the four Houses of Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. From there, they will compete with each other throughout the month, scoring points for their Houses, just like in the books and films.
In some cases, whole families of wizards appeared before the Sorting Hat, all fans of the Harry Potter saga. The Thomases came in costume, embracing the magic in full.
"We've seen most of the films, and we've been working on the books," said Braxton Thomas, 8, who was there along with his younger brother, Channing, 5. "We just started reading them this year. I like the books because of the wizards, the wands, the magic, the castles. Its all exciting and fun."
"They are huge fans and have been celebrating Harry Potter's birthday all week," said Tarah Thomas, their mother.
"They like the magic quite a lot and we try to recreate it at home," said Joe Thomas, the two boys' father. "They ask about the mechanics of the magic in the world, the wands and stuff. They like fantasy in general, but Harry Potter in particular, because many of the heroes in the story are also kids, and that's the draw. They get caught up in the writing, the great character portrayals. And we all notice, as the narrative goes on, the change in tone, how things get more serious and the stakes get raised as the story goes on."
"I like magic and the zap on Harry's forehead, his glasses and such," 10-year-old Alexis "Lexi" Wheeler said. "He's a wizard, but these things also make him seem like a normal boy. It shows the character's inside, things not easy to guess."
Alexis has only seen the first movie, but she does have some thoughts as to what is coming.
"I think Harry's friend (Ron Weasley) is going to get into trouble," she said.
"Today kicks off Harry Potter month, with events each weekend," said Burgandy Farris, Curator of Discovery Place. "Today, we sort everyone into their houses, and just like Hogwarts, they will compete for points. There will be prizes and glory for the winning House at the end of the month."
This is the second year the museum has presented the Harry Potter month.
"There was a big response last year, and it seems that the Harry Potter story is one that gains new fans with each generation," Farris said. "The last movie ("The Deathly Hallows") came out in my freshman year of college."
"I am a fan; I like the story and the magic. It makes you happy, cheering for Harry and the gang," she said.