Local Hobbit-Heads Are Bound for Middle Earth

This weekend, a small group of people will gather in Westford to head to Middle Earth, the fictitious setting of author J.R.R. Tolkein's written works.

They'll be attending the third Conference on Middle Earth — the first and second conferences were held in 1969 and 1971 — organized by 72-year-old Jan Finder, a Tolkien enthusiast from Albany, N.Y. About 50 people are expected to attend, present scholarly papers on books such as "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings," and purchase fantasy-themed merchandise.

WBUR's All Things Considered host Sacha Pfeiffer sat down with Finder at the Westford Regency Inn and Conference Center, where the event will be held Saturday, to talk about why it's back after a 40-year hiatus.