The Hobbit was one of the first “real” books I ever finished as a child. I excitedly read the rest of the The Lord of the Rings trilogy, growing less and less interested in the whole thing, finally falling a sleep a few pages into The Silmarillion.

So if I attend the J.R.R. Tolkien Birthday Celebration this Saturday, January 16th at the Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd), it won’t be for the Peter Jackson films (I know these films are some people’s Star Wars, but I just couldn’t get into them). It will be for the beer, jugglers, and live music.

J.R.R. TOLKIEN BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

With jugglers, live music by the Freak Mountain Ramblers, the entire LOTR trilogy and more! Come in costume to compete for prizes! . . . Celebrate the birthday of Tolkien by coming dressed as your favorite Hobbit, elf, wizard or other character from one of his amazing novels. We’ll have Hobbit-inspired food specials, the entire “Lord of the Rings” trilogy in the Theater, performances by Willamette Radio Workshop and much more.

The celebration begins at 11am and the live music starts at 7pm. It’s free to get in, but $3 or an Oregon Food Bank donation gets you into the movies.

Find more information, including the schedule, at the Kennedy School event page.