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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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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
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1780
TheOtherMinister says:
It would be cool to go to a party, but I wouldn't enjoy it if HBP was comming out in a couple of hours. Plus, I would not be able to read the book in the party.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:30 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2682
hplovergurl says:
That would be really fun to go to! I wish I could see some of the games that they have, and all the stuff like that! Maybe there will be something a little bit like that around the place that I live.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:36 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1390
Flaming Phoenix says:
Oh well, I live in New Jersey. I'm planing to go at mid-night to Barnes and Noble to get my book anyway. Next time, make it in New Jersey! Trenton is close enough to where I live!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:46 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1390
Flaming Phoenix says:
Actually, make it in New York City. It's close than Trenton.....
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:47 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 468
Laura_Granger says:
Sounds like its going to be great. I wish I could be there!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:49 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 468
Laura_Granger says:
all those people in Chicago are soooo lucky!! Have fun for me!
--Laura--
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:50 PM EST
Witch
Points: 534
Mrs. Mollywobbles says:
Why couldn't they do this is on Long Island or in New York City?
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:51 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 465
Angel Of Music <3 says:
I went to something like that when the fifth book came out. It was pretty cool. That one looks soooo much better though!! I wish I could go to that!!! I'm going to be away on the 16 too!!! So I won't be able to get it untill the 21!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:59 PM EST
Squib
Points: 188
Triofan4eva says:
WOW! That's so cool! They should have more parties spread throughout the country so more people can experience them. The small parties are cool but you get to meet more fans at the bigger ones.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 7:04 PM EST
Auror
Points: 4080
RON's all up in heRmiONe says:
That looks so fun, I wish I could go. As usual, I can't go, but still, I have only five days of classes left in school, then finals!!! Off topic but I am trying to show I am happy, even though I can't go to any HP parties!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 7:07 PM EST
Witch
Points: 543
HogwartsAhistory says:
I wish our hometown would do something cool like that!! Nothing ever happens in Elmira NY.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 7:08 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2337
hermionehp120 says:
This is AWESOME. Im going to be able to go because its soo close to me. I was hoping soo bad that they would have something like this around my city and they DO!!I just cant wait for July 16th.... well 15th really because thats the day of the activities.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 7:09 PM EST
Duchess of Dork
Points: 6749
Mama.Lala says:
Hey, that's nice. Wish I could go...
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 7:12 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 317
Tandara says:
I would like to go to a big release party. It seems like such fun.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 7:19 PM EST
Chief Auror
Points: 15502
auror_potter says:
I am so sad that I live on the west coast and can't go. I bet it's going to be so amazing! I am so jealous of all of you that get to go.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 7:26 PM EST
Witch
Points: 657
siriusluv says:
I'm so jealous, we are moving to Eugene Oregon and they are doing nothing. That party sounds sooo cool. Have fun those of you who get to go.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 7:37 PM EST
Student
Points: 273
Dhemlan says:
Oh my god! I'm so jealous, so far nothing is happening where I am and I'm crossing my fingers that something great pops up. Kudos to all the sites working on it...It sounds fantastic.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 7:47 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2852
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
Oh my gosh!!!!!!! I live 20 minutes away from Mt.Prospect.... This is sooooooooo cool... Im definatly going to that mall on the 16.... It's going to be sooo cool..... I can't belive that an event this big is right by my house!!!! Im freaking out now....Im soooo happy....
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 7:55 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 410
xLiLiax says:
I wish I coukd be there u.u
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:06 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2346
Luno says:
Dude! So not fair! I wanna go, but I live in California. :'(
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:08 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 467
the_pensieve says:
That's so not fair. Why can't they do something like that closer to where I live? :(
Well hope everyone thats going has a blast!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:14 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 539
Emma's true fan and lover says:
HOLY COW, THAT IS WICKED. Alrthough I am bursting with jealousy of all those who will get to go or can go there, Due to the fact that I'm in Canada, just assures that I won't be anywhere near that awesome party. Congratulations to HPANA and MUGGLENET for being awarded fan site awards, all the hard work has paid off, hope I had done some. Anyway, as for my question previously of where will this party be hosted keeping in mind 10,000 people, a 1,021,000 million square foot shopping centre makes everything clear.
Sigh, I so wish something like this could happen in Canada, not too far from, if far at all, from where I live.
Good luck to all those who will be going, and I can say only this, HAVE A BLAST!!!!!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:28 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1448
Wulfric_Brian says:
I wish they had something huge near my city... Oh well, good luck for people in IL.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 655
pine-fresh says:
WOW that would be so cool to attend! And it's such a huge event! I'd love to see the land-based Quidditch game and "Harry and the Potters", what a funky name!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:31 PM EST
Witch
Points: 505
jmfrogger says:
Well, I've got the next best thing, which is the Mall of America Party, but not life size wizarding chess, which would be awesome to see! Did anyone go to the wizarding world and get sorted? It actually put me in Slytherin! And my husband ended up in Hufflepuff! Ha!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:35 PM EST
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