Nearly 50 people donned their finest robes – or muggle attire – for an afternoon of sweet treats, trivia and games at Wollongong Central Library.

They enjoyed  Potter’s favourite party food, including chocolate frogs, Butter Beer and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, before they were ‘‘sorted’’ into houses for a trivia contest.

It was an early party for the popular book character, who marks his ‘‘official’’ birthday on July 31.

Keiraville twins Melinda and Ashley Howard were keen to celebrate Potter’s birthday, noting he would probably get some pretty cool presents.

‘‘I think he’d get a new broomstick or wand – definitely the latest models,’’ Melinda said.

The 14-year-old sisters have been avid fans of the Harry Potter series for several years, sharing the books between them.

Ashley said the characters in the series were the books’ main attraction.

‘‘You can definitely relate to all of them,’’ she said.

‘‘We like the fact that we can read the books and then talk about the characters and the story; events like this are a great chance to meet other people who are fans.’’

Last year, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was borrowed 103 times from Illawarra libraries, while Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was taken out by 88 readers.

The party was the latest in a number of  events to foster a love of reading among young people.