For the first time in its 35-year tradition, the Sophomore Literary Festival will be hosting a community event, "A Very Potter Evening," in conjunction with the St. Joseph County Literacy Council.

The committee worked with Literacy Council officials and the Notre Dame leaders over the past month to expand the annual literary festival's reach into the community. "A Very Potter Evening" refers to the young wizard hero of the popular children's book series.

"We chose Harry Potter as the theme because of its popularity with children. The Harry Potter books are wonderful because they get kids excited about reading," said Erin Blonder, co-chair of the Potter event.

The event will be Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore.

The Sophomore Literary Festival scheduled a variety of events for "A Potter Evening," including a raffle, face painting, and a live duel put on by the Notre Dame fencing team. Some of the prizes include a signed copy of the third book and original Harry Potter movie posters.

The aim of "A Very Potter Evening" is to encourage children in the local community to enjoy reading, organizers said. It is also an attempt to combat the wave of illiteracy that has hit St. Joseph County in recent years.

In the latest National Adult Survey, it was estimated that 700,000 adults in Indiana were illiterate. St. Joseph County's illiteracy rate ranks among the lowest in the entire state.

All proceeds collected from the event will be donated to local literacy programs throughout the county.

Chuck Lennon, Alumni Association president; Libby Bishop, student body president; and Mike Macaluso, the Notre Dame leprechaun, will read excerpts from "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."

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