Spellbound Skating

When there aren’t magical broomsticks around to transport little wizards and witches from place to place, a sturdy pair of roller blades will do the trick, so long as cloaks don’t get caught in the wheels on their way to Hogwarts.

Luckily for Brooke Garbis, that wasn’t the case when she dressed as Hermione Granger during “Harry Potter Night” Saturday at Baqara Skate. Donning the signature black robe, white dress shirt and red-and-gold tie, Garbis portrayed a convincing depiction of one of Gryffindor’s brightest students in the “Harry Potter” book series.

Gliding past her fellow skaters, Garbis was eventually joined by Kaetlin McPartlin, who portrayed the blonde-haired Luna Lovegood. Garbis and McPartlin said they are huge fans of both the “Harry Potter” books by author J.K. Rowling, as well as the many adapted films. The two girls said they love reading about the experiences of the novels’ titular character.

“It’s just kind of all about the adventures that happen during it,” Garbis said. “And they’re just really good books and movies.”

McPartlin agreed. “I like pretty much the same thing: the adventures. It’s interesting,” she said.

Thanks to the wizardly themed night at Baqara Skate, located 1611 First Ave. W., Garbis and McPartlin could feel like they were part of the adventure this time. But, admittedly, they were ready for the Harry Potter costume contest to show off their magical garbs and wands.

That wasn’t all that was in store for skating guests at Harry Potter Night. Baqara Skate owners Clinton and Yvette Webster said a themed photo booth was available and equipped with Harry Potter props like glasses, the Sorting Hat and ties bearing the colors of Hogwarts houses like Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.

The “Harry Potter” films played on the projection screen and there was also a Quidditch race for participants.

“We figured we’d try it out,” Clinton Webster said Saturday night. “I mean, I love Harry Potter, but I wasn’t sure with some of these young kids — some of them have watched all the movies and love ‘em, but some of the them have never heard of it. Makes me start to feel old, but we’ll give it a shot.”

Themed nights at Baqara Skate, he added, began in December with a holiday party, a dollar skate night and a New Year’s Eve night. In the coming weeks, the Websters said the roller rink will host a rock ’n’ roll night for music lovers, a sweetheart night for couples just before Valentine’s Day and a superhero night near the end of February.

The goal of themed nights at Baqara Skate, Clinton Webster said, is to get the citizens to become “more interactive with the roller rink.”

“It’s kind of the same regular crowd that comes in,” he said. “Some of these kids skate every single weekend on Friday and Saturday. Having some of these themed nights helps get some more families out here.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com