ANTELOPE ISLAND -- Harry Potter is not one of the 900 people who have preregistered to ride in the 18th annual Antelope Island by Moonlight Bike Ride.
But the presence of the fictional, bespectacled, young master wizard may be felt at the 10 p.m. Friday event.
Antelope Island State Park, Davis County and a handful of other sponsors are teaming up to make this year's noncompetitive, 22-mile ride even more magical than previous years' rides.
"We kind of played off of the Harry Potter theme," said Davis County Director of Planning Barry Burton. The theme of this year's ride is "The Deathly Shallows."
The theme plays off the popular Potter film series, which concludes Friday with the release of "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2."
Burton, who is tasked with conjuring up the event's theme, said the "shallows" fit with the island ride.
Registration is $27 for those older than 14 and $22 for 14 and younger.
The registration fee includes entry into the state park, light refreshments and a collector's T-shirt.
Entrants can register at the Davis County Office of Community and Economic Development in the Memorial Courthouse in Farmington until the close of business Thursday, or online at daviscountyutah.gov/go/moonlight/ or on-site the day of the race, Burton said.
On-site ride registration will begin on the island at 7:30 p.m.
Last year's event had 1,217 riders, Burton said. But the number of riders who preregistered for this year's ride exceeds the number of preregistered riders in 2009, in which a record high of more than 1,300 riders participated in the event, he said.
Burton said there is always room for more.
The ride across the island has a route that begins at the Antelope Island Marina and goes to the historic Fielding Garr Ranch and back, said Neka Roundy, with the Office of Community and Economic Development.
Working headlights and reflectors for the bikes and helmets for the riders are required, Roundy said.
Prizes will be awarded for the best-costumed rider or best-decorated bicycle based on the "Deathly Shallows" theme. The judging of costumes and bicycles will take place at 9:30 p.m. at the marina.
Event sponsors are Davis County Community and Economic Development and Planning, Davis County Health, Chevron, The Biker's Edge, Wadman Corp., Now 97.9, KLO, Friends of Antelope Island, Antelope Island State Park and United Site Service.
In conjunction with the ride, the Syracuse 6 Movie Theater will host a 5 p.m. tailgate party Friday celebrating the showing of the film "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2."
The party, to include games, prizes and entertainment, will be in the theater parking lot at 2428 S. Antelope Drive, Syracuse.
For more information about the tailgate party or the ride, call 801-444-3278 or 801-451-3278 or visit daviscountyutah.gov/discoverdavis/.
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