Movie night conjures up magic
DeKALB - Samantha Stillson didn't purchase her Hermione Granger costume from Diagon Alley, but she did fit the part as the character in the Harry Potter series, complete with wand in hand, Friday night during the DeKalb Park District's Friday Night Movies in the Park at Hopkins Park. Stillson, 15, was one of about 10 children who participated in the Harry Potter costume contest before the showing of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone” on the blow-up big screen. “I was Hermione for Halloween in eighth grade and I love the books, so I heard about the contest and I figured, ‘Why not?'” Stillson said. “I already have the costume.” Stillson put together the ensemble by shopping around local stores for more than a week, searching for the pieces to complete the outfit. She also shopped online at a Harry Potter costume Web site to purchase some of the more tricky parts. “I got the wand and my tie online,” Stillson said. Nonnie and Mike Scorzo also looked around their house to find costumes for daughters Emily, 9, and Amy, 5. “We wanted to dress Amy up as Dobby (a household elf in the second Harry Potter book), but we didn't get anything put together like that,” Nonnie Scorzo said. “We found a black cape, so I think she's Professor Snape.” The decked-out children received their own jewel-like stones as well as a certificate of participation. Prizes, such as Hogwarts house banners and the sixth “Harry Potter” book, were donated by Barnes & Noble, Steak n Shake and the park district. A book fair will be held this weekend at Barnes & Noble in DeKalb, with part of the proceeds going to the park district. “This really is a whole community effort,” said Lisa Small, assistant director of the park district.