Contests, Snacks Will Help Keep Potter Fans Up Late

Pajama parties, costume contests and wizard snacks will be the order of the day when J.K. Rowling’s newest Harry Potter book goes on sale at 12:01 a.m. July 8. Here’s a sampling of Harry Potter-related activities at area bookstores:

* Barnes & Noble. Many of the chain’s Southern California stores will stay open until 1 a.m. July 8, dispensing free refreshments and holding Harry Potter trivia contests and games. Employees might also dress in capes and wizard hats. Call individual stores for details.

* Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, tentatively plans to remain open past its usual midnight closing time. (310) 659-3110.

* Borders Books, Music & Cafe. Almost every California store is scheduled to stay open past midnight July 7 and then reopen early July 8 (at 7 or 8 a.m.) with Harry Potter parties, breakfasts or other events.

* Children’s Book World, 10580 1/2 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, is giving away “Muggles for Harry Potter” buttons and Potter posters to the first 150 orders, including advance orders. (310) 559-2665.

* Crown Books. Stores in Santa Monica, Pasadena and two or three other locales will be open until 1 a.m. July 8, hosting various Harry Potter activities, contests and giveaways. Call individual stores for details.

* Dutton’s Brentwood Books, 11975 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, will serve cocoa from 11:30 p.m. July 7 to 1 a.m. July 8. (310) 476-6263.

* Once Upon a Time, 2284 Honolulu Ave., Montrose, plans to celebrate “Harry Potter Day” from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 8 with a costume contest and crafts (make your own potion bag or magic hat). The store is also sponsoring an essay contest, open to all ages, in which entrants write about what they’d like to see happen in the fourth book. Essay deadline is July 6. The prize is a free copy of the new book. (818) 248-9668.

* Pages, Books for Children & Young Adults, 18399 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. In honor of train platform 9 3/4, the fictional depot from which Harry travels to Hogwarts boarding school, Pages will open for one hour starting at 11:59 3/4 p.m. July 7. It will also offer Harry Potter game cards that can be redeemed for store discounts, and free “Muggles for Harry Potter” pins. (818) 342-6657.

* San Marino Toy & Book Shoppe, 2424 Huntington Drive, San Marino, will hold a pajama party from midnight to 2 a.m. July 8. (626) 309-0222.

* Whale of a Tale Children’s Bookshoppe in the University Center, 4199 Campus Drive, Irvine, will open at 12:01 a.m. July 8 and remain open for two hours. (949) 854-8288.

* The White Rabbit Children’s Bookstore in South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, plans a “Harry Potter party atmosphere” beginning at 10 a.m. July 8 and running throughout the day, with Harry Potter-related door prizes and refreshments: “Every flavor beans” (jelly beans), chocolate frogs (candy), licorice wands and caldron cakes (“I’m not sure what that is,” concedes manager Kate Ballay). The staff will dress up in cloaks a la Hogwarts students, and Ballay says, “We’re looking at the possibility of handing out Harry Potter glasses--just all kinds of Harry Potter-like things.” (714) 445-0010.