ANNOUNCEMENT — George Sirilla, 8, portrayed “The Lord of the Rings” character Bilbo Baggins and recited the hobbit’s famed birthday farewell speech during Saturday’s Hobbit Party and J.R.R. Tolkien Celebration. -- Christopher Dacanay

STEUBENVILLE — Marking 87 years since publication of “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien, downtown businesses partnered to host a fantasy-themed blowout suitable for all ages Saturday.

The second-annual Hobbit Party and J.R.R. Tolkien Celebration offered an evening full of activities on Fourth Street, including crafts, literary talks and music. A number of attendees showed up in costume, portraying characters and races from Tolkien’s novel “The Lord of the Rings,” such as elves, wizards, monsters and, of course, hobbits.

“It’s very exciting for me to kick off our second-annual (event),” said BookMarx Bookstore co-owner John Kuhner, who organized the event. “This is a chance for us to share something that we’re passionate about — to share books that we love.”

The first activity of the evening was a talk by Alex Plato, professor of philosophy for Franciscan University of Steubenville and self-professed Tolkien fan. Plato spoke on the “mythopoeia,” or myth making, found in Tolkien’s works.

“Tolkien had said many times … that when he was creating his stories, he felt like he was recording something that was already happening,” Plato said. “He didn’t feel like he was creating these plots and ideas.”

BANQUET HALL — Attendees at Saturday’s Hobbit Party and J.R.R. Tolkien Celebration, many of them in costume, waited in line for food under a banner, commemorating the birthday of “The Lord of the Rings” character Bilbo Baggins, in the third-floor ballroom of Leonardo’s Coffeehouse. -- Christopher Dacanay

He said later: “I remember when I read the creation account in Tolkien’s ‘The Silmarillion.’ I almost thought that had to be true. Maybe that’s what actually happened in reality. The sub creation was so powerful, I wanted it to be true. And when we receive this mythopoeic sense, and we begin to wonder about the things that we are encountering in this imaginary story, there’s a special experience that occurs.”

Afterward, people assembled in the third-floor ballroom of Leonardo’s Coffeehouse for a potluck-style banquet. Kuhner commenced the meal by reciting a Latin meal prayer from the year 1264 — a prayer traditionally said before meals at Oxford University’s Merton College, where Tolkien was a professor for many years.

During the meal, attendees could vote on their favorite submission to the “One Cake to Rule Them All” contest, which challenged bakers to create cakes themed after the works of Tolkien. Entries to the contest included a triple red velvet pound cake by Zanea Sammut, named “Smaug;” an early gray tea-infused cake by Norah Lee Bodoh, named “A Taste of Bag End;” a honey cake by Victoria Wrangler, named “Beorn’s Honey Cake,” and a cookies and cream cake by Natalie Thacker, named “Théodred’s Grace.”

The crowd favorite award went to Bodoh, 15, who first picked up baking four years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also an artist, Bodoh said decorating cakes is a fusion of her passions for art and baking.

Just up Fourth Street, partygoers could take part in a craft session at Spyridon Studios, which offered the chance to paint tankards or carve a custom tobacco pipe.

CAKE CONTEST — The “One Cake to Rule Them All” contest challenged bakers to create cakes themed after the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. -- Christopher Dacanay

Meanwhile at BookMarx, Kuhner gave his own talk, addressing Tolkien’s attempt to rewrite “The Hobbit” later in life, reportedly to disastrous effects. Kuhner claimed the newer draft suffered from the “undercutting of hobbitness,” making characters more flat and with less autonomy over their actions.

“Tolkien really hated all forms of coercion. He wanted freedom,” Kuhner said. “The whole point was that the ring represented the power of coercion. You could make other people do things. The fact that the hobbits resist that is what makes them so great. … Some of that kind of just goes away in this revised version.”

Kuhner also spoke on what lessons present-day writers can take from Tolkien, including his ability to write at a highly intellectual level but present stories in language that children can understand, while still being packed with meaning.

Partygoers also assembled on Fourth Street itself, which was closed to traffic form Washington Street to Market Street and had several vendors set up. Come 8 p.m., the wizard Gandalf — portrayed by John Miller — helped distribute sparklers and throwable, popping fireworks to children.

The crowd froze upon hearing the sound of a horn being blown, drawing attention to 8-year-old George Sirilla. Dressed in hobbit regalia and sporting false mutton chops, Sirilla recited “The Hobbit” character Bilbo Baggins’ famed speech said on his birthday — Sept. 22.

IN CHARACTER — Many wore costumes to Saturday’s Hobbit Party and J.R.R. Tolkien Celebration, including members of the DeCesare family. From left are Kira DeCesare, Dawn DeCesare and Zac DeCesare. -- Christopher Dacanay

To round off the night, the three-person band Faire May played a mix of folk tunes that had partygoers dancing in the street.

Thoroughly enjoying the night were members of the DeCesare family of Steubenville: Zac, Dawn and Kira. Although they missed last year’s hobbit party, the family was excited to attend this year, going as far as to dress up in costume.

“I was all for it. I was like: ‘I want to dress up,'” said Kira DeCesare.

“I probably would not normally have dressed up,” said Zac DeCesare, “but she wanted to, so you’ve got to do it.”

PEOPLE’S CHOICE — Norah Lee Bodoh, 15, posted with her cake “A Taste of Bag End,” which was voted the people’s choice in the “One Cake to Rule Them All” competition. -- Christopher Dacanay

MAGIC — John Miller, portraying “The Lord of the Rings” character Gandalf the wizard, helped children light their sparklers during the outdoor portion of Saturday’s Hobbit Party and J.R.R. Tolkien Celebration. -- Christopher Dacanay