ROTK Reading Marathon & Medieval Dinner in NY
Xoanon @ 7:14 pm EST

Elizabeth S writes: HAMBURG, N.Y. – Dressed in the likeness of infamous characters from the popular The Lord of the Rings trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien’s final book in the series will be brought to life at an all-night reading marathon Oct. 15-16 at Hilbert College.

Kick-off reader for the marathon, an event the college has held for each of the trilogy books, will be WGRZ-TV anchor Maryalice Demler. She will read from the first chapter of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King from 7:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday in the Palisano Lecture Room in Bogel Hall. Half-hour readings by Hilbert students, faculty and staff throughout the night and morning will conclude at about noon Saturday.

With the stage decorated to simulate Mount Doom and the Black Riders’ city of Minas Morgul, Lord of the Rings background music and a presentation featuring images from the movie will help set the mood for Middle Earth. Trivia questions for prizes will also be displayed on screen.

Elvish writing master Jasen Cooper will be available to write names or short messages in the Elvish language Quenya.

A Lord of Rings book exhibit by Barnes and Noble will be displayed. Also, raffles will be held throughout the event, and t-shirts will be available for purchase.

The event is open to the public and attendees are encouraged to dress in costume. Rings will be distributed to the first 50 in attendance. A $2 admission will include buffets, snacks and beverages.

In keeping with the theme, a medieval dinner will precede the marathon from 5:15-7 p.m. Friday in the Campus Center Dining Hall, which will be decorated in a medieval castle setting. Magician Garrett Thomas will perform at the dinner and later during the reading marathon.

Entry to the reading marathon will be included in the cost for dinner at $10 for the general public, and $2 for Hilbert faculty, staff and alumni. A costume contest will be held at the dinner.

Information on the dinner may be obtained from Jason Enser, student activities director, at 649-7900, ext. 335, or jenser@hilbert.edu.

Proceeds from the reading marathon and dinner will benefit Hilbert Horizons, the college’s literary magazine, which is a co-sponsor along with the Hilbert Society of the Fine Arts, Student Government Association, and the Office of Student Activities.

More information on the reading marathon is available by contacting Charles Ernst, Ph.D., chairperson of arts and sciences, at 649-7900, ext. 315, or e-mail cernst@hilbert.edu.