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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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Professor
Points: 1050
Phoenix Lover says:
That sounds really cool, but I'm not going.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:35 PM EST
Student
Points: 210
lora_may says:
Sounds soooo cool...I wish I could go!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:50 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1626
bubblenut21 says:
I wish I lived near Chicago..I live in Texas..so it is not happening! Well the people that do get to go are very lucky indeed!
*bubblenut21*
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:50 PM EST
Ravies Flying Instructor
Points: 3161
love2fly says:
Sounds exciting, it sounds limke it will be a lot of fun for those who can make it.
Oh so can't wait for July 16th.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:01 PM EST
Ravenclaw Mastermind
Points: 9743
Isilwen Ciryatan says:
Wow, too bad I don't live near Chicago. I live in Ohio. I would so love to go to that event.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:01 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2907
the first Hermione Hair says:
This will be soo awsome! JK will be so impressed and proud of you guys who aranged it! :) great job!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:02 PM EST
Half-Blooded Fooch
Points: 2447
fooch48 says:
Sounds like a TON of fun. Too bad it's only in Chicago!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:11 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
that is SO cool!
man, for once i wish i lived in Chicago JUST so i can go to this.
i would love to be around fellow HP lovers and celebrating the release of the 6th book and having a great time!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:15 PM EST
Witch
Points: 556
hpbri says:
sounds fun for people out there in chicago! CANT WAIT FOR HBP!!!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:16 PM EST
Student
Points: 209
half_blood_princess_53 says:
My friend in chicago will wanna know it is soooooooooooo cool!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:25 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1098
LilyP says:
OH, this sounds like so much fun. I'm glad they are doing this. I just wish I was able to come to something like that. What a fun time!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:26 PM EST
Squib
Points: 149
mrshib says:
That sounds so cool. i think that would be a lot of fun to go to because you could meet a ton of people that like harry potter.
mrshib
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:31 PM EST
Vader's Veela
Points: 3858
seekerfan says:
I live right next to Mt. Prospect!!!! This is AWESOME!!!! I worked at Randhurst Mall for 4 years during college!! YEAH!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:40 PM EST
Squib
Points: 195
lxlWilliamlxl says:
This is very exciting news!! I should definitely tell my friend who lives in the Chicago area about this event!! She will be so excited to find out that something is happening where she lives!! I hope the people who attend have fun!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:55 PM EST
Metamorphmagus
Points: 37939
tonks black says:
I wish i lived near where you were having this, but i dont think my dad will drive me all the way over there since he isnt really into books, and i dont got the money for a plane/train ticket.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:59 PM EST
Squib
Points: 175
butterbeeraholic says:
I wish i lived around there, but I live all the way up in Canada (southern ontario) so i dont really have a chance to go there. That's depressing. Well, I'm still really glad that they are having this, so that many people can enjoy it - although i wish i was one of them.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 5:26 PM EST
Student
Points: 206
Deeann Black says:
I am soooo jealous.....that's not fair, I wish they had something like that here. Well, I hope everyone has a great time.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 5:31 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 17
GreekGuy91 says:
WOW! I can't wait to get the next book! It would be so cool to be in Chicago or New York or LA on the night of its release! It probably will be crazy! I'd start reading the book right there!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 5:35 PM EST
The Labyrinthine Brain
Points: 3337
DevilsSnare says:
This is uber-awesome. I am only about 46 miles away from Mt. Prospect, Illinois. I will definitely see if I can be in attendance for the event.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 5:37 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1688
Woodfan says:
Illnois!!! Aaaargh!!!! maybe I should have been more specific with my "I wish they would do something big in the US".
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 5:48 PM EST
Goddess of the South
Points: 6100
Mrs S Black says:
This is so fun, I can't go but for those who live in Illinois should go and have some fun! I think we are having a bit of fun at our local bookstore here, it will be fun enough!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 5:59 PM EST
The Quibbler Poet
Points: 7054
.:Wicked T:. says:
Its too bad cause I don't live in Chicago. I live in NY No Fair ok I am going there like now! *flys to Chicago* WHHEEEEEE!!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:09 PM EST
Squib
Points: 182
hmbrpm1146 says:
Right. Still jealous that I do not live in IL and that I cannot get there. But it sounds like so much fun.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:13 PM EST
Squib
Points: 193
Hermione Jane ; ) says:
I SO wish I lived near there! That would be the funnest thing EVER!!!! Especially since all my friends like HP too, and don't think I'm crazy like most people do and they'd come with me and we'd have so much fun! *whew*
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 956
harryluvsginny! says:
oooooooooo sounds interesting and exciting and i totally wish that i can go!!!!!!!!!!!! :( But....as i live very far from illinois it would be improbable for me to go! Hope everybody else has a good time though!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:18 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1737
HermyG13 says:
I live in Florida, and I have no way of getting to Illinois! I guess I'll be missing the big party!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:23 PM EST
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