Katy earns honor of being the 'Harryest' town in Texas

Thursday, July 19, 2007

(7/19/07 - KTRK/KATY, TX) (KTRK) -- Hogwarts, Muggles, Voldemort, Dumbledore -- probably sounds like a bunch of nonsense to many, but well-known those who have been caught up in the magic of Harry Potter.

The seventh and final book will be officially released this Saturday. And thousands of them will be shipped to what is being called the 'Harryest' town in Texas -- Katy. The title is given to the town that pre-ordered the most books.

At a Books-a-Million in Katy, 600 people have already pre-ordered to make sure they have that book in their hands by Saturday. That's where we caught up with several fans who are planning to buy the book.

"I'm excited about the book coming out, seeing what happens to all the people, really" said one excited fan.

"I'm looking forward to what the end is," said another.

It seems to be the only thing anyone can talk about -- the new and final book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.

"Maybe he'll die or something trying to defeat Lord Voldemort or they'll both die," said one fan.

And if you think it's just for kids, think again.

"The kids seem fairly decent, down to earth, normal children," said one parent of the characters in the book. "They want the best for everybody. They don't really act abnormal like you would expect someone with magic to act."

Bookstores around the nation have been working to keep up with the Harry Potter craze, making sure everyone who wants a book will have one by 12:01 Saturday morning.

"We have anticipated every problem that could possibly happen, we think, and we're hoping we anticipated right and nothing bad happens," said Tommy Tackett with the Katy Books-a-Million.

So what's the big draw with these books anyway?

"I just like that it's about magic," said one fan.

"It's just fantasy," said another. "You want to be in this fantasy world, but you know can't. So you read about it and you're all wrapped in the story and it makes it exciting."

Though not everyone is under the Harry Potter spell.

"I prefer science fiction and Star Wars better," said one non-fan.

As far as the national 'Harryest' towns list, Katy ranks #5. Falls Church, Virgina is #1.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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