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JUNE 6, 2005 at 12:07 AM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: Spellbound!
After months of planning, we're proud to be able to finally release Spellbound2005.com
, information about our huge Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince midnight release party in Mount Prospect, Illinois. The mall, two cities, the visitors' bureau, area businesses and even the mayor have helped us bring this thing to life. Read all about it in the official press release:
Midnight release party at Chicago-area shopping center to draw 10,000 attendees. City officials and area businesses lend support to make memorable event.
MT. PROSPECT, IL -- Award-winning Harry Potter fan sites today announced Spellbound!, an event to celebrate the release of JK Rowling's sixth novel, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, on July 15 at Randhurst Shopping Center in Mt. Prospect, IL.
Attendees of Spellbound! will be enchanted by live music performances, a land-based "Quidditch" game developed by USA Team Handball, a virtual reality experience, costume contests, prize giveaways, trivia, scavenger hunts and more.
Wizarding World Press will present its unique life-sized wizard chess, a game that attracted thousands in 2003. HP Fan Trips, a group focused on Harry Potter-themed travel, is providing its "Quidditch" and virtual reality games. Musical talents Harry and the Potters, Tony Goldmark, Luke Ski and others will perform live on stage.
Online Harry Potter fan sites MuggleNet and HPANA along with Wizarding World Press have been developing the event over six months. WWP, publishers of the Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter, was created by fans and actively supports the online fan community. Both HPANA and MuggleNet have been awarded a Fan Site Award from author JK Rowling herself, and the webmaster of MuggleNet was recently invited by the author to conduct an interview at her Edinburgh home on July 16.
Area hotels have provided convention space and large discounts for travelers and will host several of the Spellbound! attractions. Beyond Boundaries Travel has negotiated rates and is the event's official travel agency. Fans who stay in certain hotels can pre-order the book directly from Spellbound! for delivery shortly after midnight.
"It's a great honor to be the only shopping center in the country associated with the group of organizations that have produced this world-class event," said Margaret Lannen, General Manager for Randhurst.
City officials in Mt. Prospect and Prospect Heights are eagerly anticipating the festival.
"We could not be more excited to host such a wonderful event," said Patricia Wharton, Executive Director of the Prospect Heights Convention and Visitors Bureau. "The economic impact and national notoriety this event will have on our communities is outstanding," said Prospect Heights' City Administrator Matt Zimmerman. "Our city is thrilled to be hosting this event in conjunction with Mount Prospect," added mayor Rodney Pace.
Randhurst Shopping Center, located in Mount Prospect, IL is a 1,021,000 million square foot shopping destination with a variety of national and local retailers offering merchandise, services and entertainment options. The center includes such retailers as Carson Pirie Scott, Home Depot, a 16-screen AMC Theatre, Old Navy, Borders Books and Café, Costco and Jewel-Osco.
Fan sites DanRadcliffe.com, Veritaserum, Harry Potter Fan Zone and others are contributing to the event by operating some of the specific games and contests. Thanks also to The Leaky Cauldron for their support.
Visit the official site to register and learn more about the event!
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Witch
Points: 771
Weasley Witch says:
Cool! Why can't they have a huge launch like that in the UK? Sure, I know there are a few but they're all in Scottland, none where I live (in a little village near manchester, england)!
Still completely awesome!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 1:43 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 48
XscarfaceX says:
Holy moly I wish I could go there and get some of that stuff! I cant wait till July 16!!!!!!!11
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 1:45 PM EST
Witch
Points: 593
hp_rocks_my_world says:
Wow that sounds like soo much fun! Everyone who lives in Chicago is soooo lucky!!! If only I could afford the gas prices!!! I would sooo go to that!!! Have fun all of ya guys who are going!! Remember me (Alexis) while you're partying!!!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:00 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1369
luv4permboy says:
Thats really cool, because it is so close to my home, Im going to a different convention thing though.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:12 PM EST
Witch
Points: 836
jade19357 says:
Ther are so many great things happening for the release of HBP but this is sure to be wonderful. I don't live that far (Michigan) I should book a room and go!!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:13 PM EST
Witch
Points: 737
Morgan Evans says:
Oh my God!! That is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo awesome!! I can't wait till it comes out!! They really went ALL out for this thing... Well, it's not like they wouldn't have SOMETHING... but they REAllY went all out!!
AHHHHHH, this is so AWESOME!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:23 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2524
Lupin1995 says:
That's a really cool idea. I wish there was something like that near where I live.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:24 PM EST
Student
Points: 211
sillyally says:
Land-based Quidditch, come on! This I gotta see. But unfortunately, due to lack of floo powder or a flying Ford Anglia, I won't be able to. Does anyone have a portkey to this place? Wehehehe.. I am so lame!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1329
MeLJeL says:
Now that's some kind of awesome! Too bad it's not here in Texas, then I could probably go. :) I think the Quidditch thing will be cool.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:34 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1069
Xenatina says:
I wish they had something like that in Canada!! EVERYTHINGS always in the states, that sucks.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:35 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 458
#1:HarryPotterFan says:
Wow that party is going to be huge! Hope that everyone who goes has a lot of fun!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:36 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 319
DuMont says:
This article was amazing to read, i wish i could be there.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:37 PM EST
Witch
Points: 608
LecHaRry says:
That sounds really fun.... how exciting.... i wish i lived there, though... oh well... that's life... i'm happy for those who can come to that wonderful event...
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:39 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 72
maraudergurl says:
OOH I wish I could go!!! To bad I live in KY and I could never convince anyone to take me... No fair! It's gonna probably be sooo cool! I have heard Harry and the Potters! They are funny! Since I can't go, I'm gonna go to Barnes & Noble's midnight party in Hamburg. It will be fun too!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:42 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1059
.:harrylover:. says:
I( have said it before.. and i'l say it again-- make somthing like this happen in Norway!! oh well.. i guess we're just a small countrey and will stay that way:)
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:44 PM EST
Witch
Points: 728
Hermione Double says:
Hey, sounds cool.
Too bad I don't live in Illinois
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:46 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1314
Lemon Drop says:
That sounds cool, I wish July 16th will hurry up! I am going to a midnight release in Arizona, I just have to find one. Then I am going home and reading my book in peace.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:51 PM EST
High Inquisitor
Points: 23477
KT Lady says:
WHAT!?
MY AUNT LIVES IN MOUNT PROSPECT! I WANT TO GO!
Man, If I could go to this, that would just be....ugh. AMAZING.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:52 PM EST
Northern Belle
Points: 3968
American Angel says:
I'm so happy that I live in Chicago! I've already checked with my mom. A couple of friends and I are going! This is so cool! I can't wait!:D
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:52 PM EST
Squib
Points: 190
harrys-spirit says:
Oh it is so cool, but im a little bit sad about i dont line in Chicago
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:02 PM EST
Witch
Points: 665
ISeeALL says:
I think it would be fun. I wish Ohio has something. I guess i will just have a slumber party with my friends. Hey that is not a bad idea.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:06 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2976
Apollyon Pringle says:
I'm glad HPANA is taking such an active role in the planning! I wish I could go and see it! I hope Jeff posts many pictures of the event!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:13 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 864
emmasboy4ever says:
OOOOO...thats neat..coool..can't wait to see the movie and book when it releases its going to be so awesome.yay!!>..EMMA ROCKS!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:18 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1472
ebony ivori says:
That sounds so exciting. I think a book store in my city (louisville ky) is having a huge party but nowhere near that size. I might go it is pretty close, but I already pre-ordered my book from Kroger so I can just pick it up at midnight; I might just pick it up and start reading though, I can't wait to start. I hear that a lot of bookstores acoss the country are throwing parties so if you can't go to the big bash than ask at a bookstore near you, that's what I did. If someone on HPANA goes will they PLEASE tell me about it?!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:26 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 315
Esmeralda says:
Sweet! That's only a few hours away. I could totally go!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:32 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1050
Phoenix Lover says:
That sounds really cool, but I'm not going.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:35 PM EST
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