Ever since the second Harry Potter book came out, we've been dressing up like witches and wizards and heading to our favorite bookstore, whether it's in Kennebunkport, Maine at the Kennebunk Book Port or in San Francisco, California, when a new J.K. Rowling book is released.

This year, these mere Muggles will be in San Francisco. Our biggest Harry Potter fan of the family, who is ten, has just finished reading Rowling's first, second and third HP books for the fifteenth time. She has read the rest of the series at least ten times.

Needless to say, we are ready for the sixth book to arrive on July 16th, and then some.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince makes its debut at midnight on July 15th around the world.

Actually, Rowling's latest masterpiece is available for devouring at 12:01 am, Saturday, July 16th, and not a moment before.

Books can and should be ordered ahead of time -- no matter where you decide to pick them up.

Even San Francisco's Mayor Gavin Newsom has gotten in on the fun. Newsom has declared July 15th "All Potter's Eve in San Francisco."

Mayor Newsom's Proclamation states:

Whereas, San Francisco's own Books Inc., the West's Oldest Independent Bookseller, is hosting midnight release parties for the 6th book of the beloved JK Rowling series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, on the eve of the release date of July 16; and

Whereas, the Harry Potter series has created a whole new interest in youth literacy, in both San Francisco, and throughout the world; and

Whereas, Books Inc. is donating half their profit from sales during their "All Potter's Eve" Midnight Release Parties to local school libraries, in addition to the already impressive annual contribution of their Michael P. Grant Literacy Fund benefiting San Francisco School Volunteers; and

Whereas, many citizens of the City and County of San Francisco, including adults, are unusually excited about the new release, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince; now

Therefore Be It Resolved, that I, Gavin Newsom, Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco do hereby proclaim July 15, 2005 as ...

ALL POTTERS EVE

IN SAN FRANCISCO!

Here is a list of bookstores in the city and throughout the Bay Area that will be open before midnight on July 15th.

A number of stores are hosting a costume party for all of us dedicated J.K. Rowling, Harry, Ron & Hermione fans.

If you're looking for Fourth of July fireworks in San Francisco they will be there; you may just not be able to see them.

Most summers we are in Kennebunkport Maine for the Fourth of July. Thanks to President Bush Sr. the annual display on the Pruniers' porch is always spectacular.

This summer, we are home in San Francisco for the second year in a row and looking for back-up plans.

If the fog looks like it is going to roll in on Monday, which is the forecast, we'll be heading south to clearer skies.

Here are 2005's 4th of July fireworks display options in San Francisco and around the Bay Area, as well as fun outdoor adventures for the kids:

San Francisco

Name: Fourth of July Waterfront Festival

Location: PIER 39, Ghirardelli Square, the Cannery, Fisherman's Wharf.

Cost: Free.

Time: Street performers and live music from noon to 9:30pm.

Attractions: PIER 39 celebrates Independence Day with two popular Bay Area bands:

1:30 - 4:30pm Double Funk Crunch

6:00 - 9:15pm Tainted Love

Fireworks display at 9:30pm.

For more information go to: