Harry Potter film marathon, Hogsmeade festival planned

Excitement is building for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," first new Harry Potter film in nearly two years.

So the Megaplex Theatres chain is hosting a Harry Potter Movie Marathon at both its Jordan Commons (Sandy) and District (South Jordan) locations.

All five earlier movies — "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (2001), "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (2002), "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004), "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" (2005) and "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (2007) — will be showing at both locations throughout the weekend. The event is a build-up to the midnight July 14 release of "Half-Blood Prince."

Jordan Commons is also hosting a "Hogsmeade Festival" July 14, from 9-11 p.m. That event will include a costume contest, a trivia competition, fortune telling, a sorting ceremony and more.

More information on the Harry Potter Movie Marathon, including show times and ticket prices, is available at www.megaplextheatres.com.

— Jeff Vice