This timeline tracks Harry Potter events in Tucson, AZ. Prepared for TusCon 2015
1997
Harry Potter and the
Philosopher’s Stone published in the UK
1998
Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer’s Stone published in the US
1999
Second and Third
Books US release
MTW begins carrying the first two books.
When the third book is released the toy store begins
stocking up on all of the books. Unable to get copies from the publisher the
toy store sends employees to all of the Costco stores in Tucson. At each store
the MTW employee fills a shopping cart to the top with books and then takes it
to the checkout. Costco has not forseen the demand and has placed no limit on
the number of copies an individual can purchase. The employees deliver several
hundred copies of the third book to the toy store which is sold through
quickly.
2000
Harry Potter and the
Goblet of Fire published in UK and US.
MTW signs a legal agreement at the beginning of the year
with Scholastic promising not to pre-sell the upcoming book or reveal
information about it ahead of its release date. This is customary for
booksellers.
Upon the books release MTW does not receive any books
because the Tiggy orders are small in comparison to large corporate
booksellers. Scholastic advises that book orders are being filled and shipped
as quickly as possible. The toy store employees return to Costco but buy less
books than previously.
Mrs. Tiggy Winkles is interviewed by The Tucson Citizen
about the Harry Potter frenzy and the article drops the hint of the first Tiggy
Winkle Harry Potter Party, a Wizard Fest on August 12th, 2000. The interview
describes the growing sales of everything relatable to the books. “ Life at
Mrs. Tiggy-Winkles has been consumed by the popular book series and all things
Harry Potter-related. The store is full of Harry Potter, from the audio version
of the fourth book playing on the sound system to books on the shelves to
wizard- and magic-themed items.”
2001
Movie of Harry Potter
and the Sorcerer’s Stone released (November)
Mrs. Tiggy Winkles Parties continue to grow. Over the coming
years from 2001 onward the Tiggies kick off an Annual “Hogwarts Student
Orientation”. The toy store is divided into quarters. In each quarter is a
curtained private area where a toy store employee playing the part of a
‘prefect’ guides a group of thirty odd children into a classroom setting. A mock
subject orientation is given to help the young wizards prepare for going to
Hogwarts in the fall. Local chemistry teachers are recruited from the community
to teach ‘potions’. And professional magicians are enlisted to teach
‘Defense against the Dark Arts’, (one of the more alarming tutorials in which
fire is thrown about!) A raptor rehab specialist is brought in to teach the
kids about sending and receiving Owls and to give them some hard facts about
owls in the Tucson area. There are three owls, two of which are safe for the
kids to cozy up to. The events are sellouts with the toy store threating
to exceed its fire code.
2002
Movie of Harry Potter
and the Chamber of Secrets released
2003
Harry Potter and the
Order of the Phoenix published
2004
Movie of Harry Potter
and the Prisoner of Azkaban released
J.K. Rowling launches
her website
July: Potter Party at Himmel Library, planned by Beth Rubio
I start indexing the books for myself.
2005
Harry Potter and the
Half-Blood Prince published
Movie of Harry Potter
and the Goblet of Fire released
July: Potter Party at Columbus Library
July: Potter Party at Himmel Library
2006
Sept. 6: Potter party at Columbus Library
2007
Harry Potter and the
Deathly Hallows published
June 21: LeakyCast Live at Barnes & Noble on Broadway
(Mel, John, Sue)
June 21: Harry & the Potters performance at Main
Library, with costume contest
June 27: Family craft night at Columbus Library
July 11: Potter Party at Valencia Library
2008
Tales of Beedle the
Bard published
December 2: Himmel Library
December 4: Columbus Library
Joined by Professor Grubbly-Plank; Snape sings Karaoke
2009
Movie of Harry Potter
and the Half-blood Prince released
July 9?: Party at Mission Library
July 11: Party at Main Library
2010
First part of movie
of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is released
2011
Second part of the
movie of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is released
Harry and the Potters tour stops in Tucson for the 2nd
time
Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s Store Closure
With the 2009 and 2010 downturn in the economy business
turns sour. By the time the fallout hits Tucson it is 2011 and the toy store
has decided to take a final bow. In a collaboration with The Tucson Pima County
Library, Hotel Congress and Bookmans Used Books the Tiggy Winkles help with
what will be an epic night for Harry Potter fans. The toy store has held back
all of its very best wizarding supplies and magical delights. Although the toy
store has been closed for nine days the employees reunite and create a giant
wizard supply shop on the long bar in the Hotel Congress main club. Harry and
the Potters play two epic shows back to back. At the end of the night the
employees give away everything that remains including many fireworks which
cause confusion and dismay for the hotel management.
2012
Harry and the Potters perform at Hotel Congress
2013
Harry and the Potters perform at Hotel Congress
2014
no parties
2015
Loft Film Fest at Trail Dust Town
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban at the Loft
