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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!
Reader Comments (364)
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Witch
Points: 507
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
Professor
Points: 1029
Magic Dancer K says:
Too bad I live so far away. :)
How sad.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:44 PM EST
Squib
Points: 145
malfoyluver says:
Fantastic! only i wont b able to be there :(
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:46 PM EST
Squib
Points: 167
L Potter says:
It sounds great! I wish they would have it in Florida.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:55 PM EST
Witch
Points: 813
harrypotterfan4eva says:
O that sounds fun! I want July 16th to get here really soon! I cant wait for the book it will be so good.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:56 PM EST
Custodian of Miracles
Points: 3264
MadamDumbledore says:
Well, it's getting closer and there's bound to be more fun stuff being organised. Just wish it would happen near me...
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:02 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 411
SouthernWitch05 says:
Wow that's fabulous. I cna't wait til our release party at a store in my town that I get to go to!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:03 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1463
LAURA? says:
Wow that sounds really exciting. Pity I cannot attend. Oh well I shall still party here in Canada. It will be fun!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:11 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3651
Saint Hedwig says:
This is really cool. I recognize some of the band performers (Harry and the potters have their own website), and all of it sounds fun. The only drawback is that I don't live in Chicago. Hope that all who will go will have a good time!
.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:22 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3651
Saint Hedwig says:
By the way... any similar events on the East Coast? Or in Central Europe?
.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:24 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1217
mahaliah says:
That looks like it's totally going to rock!! I wish I could go, but I'm too far away. Plus, I'm off for college orientation the next day. It would never work. Man, this suck. Big time!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:25 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 377
wolfie says:
*gasp* HARRY AND THE POTTERS! I wish I could go!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:32 PM EST
Hogwarts Psychologist
Points: 4236
Patronus Wiz says:
Oh~~~ this is going to ROCK! Harry Potter Music, Harry Potter fans. How great is this? I wish I could see Tony Goldmark.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:41 PM EST
Witch
Points: 885
Rachyracho says:
That would be so great to get the book so soon after midnight and be able to participate in all the fun events.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:35 PM EST
Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4499
PowerGranger says:
Yow wow wow wow WOW! I am all registered on the Spellbound! website! What an added bonus that the party is going to be in Mt Prospect this time around -- much closer to my place than Oak Park, IL.
Thanks to everyone who put this amazing day together for us! I'm most especially looking forward to Harry and the Potters but my husband and son will likely make a bee-line for the Quiddich!
How cool is spending the day with 10,000 other HP fans, then settling down for a weekend of reading HBP??????!!!!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:46 PM EST
Witch
Points: 702
afordanglia says:
Bravo! What an effort! Sounds really cool!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 11:20 PM EST
Ravenclaw Ambassador
Points: 3243
Nevar says:
Man, lucky them. I still haven't found out if Florida is planning on doing anything...does anyone know? Well, if ya do, try and find me on HPANA or look at my profile for my e-mail.
N
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 11:48 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 86
i need harry potter says:
Finnaly, something i can go to!!!!!
Can't wait!
:-P
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 12:35 AM EST
Snape's Worst Memory
Points: 3752
Emma_is_a_goddess says:
So far away from me...However, I do feel happy for those who do live near there and for those who do go to that. Sounds like lots of fun.
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 12:46 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 90
angelseyes816 says:
Man I wish I lived closer to this one it's just to far to drive O well I will have my own party!
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 1:36 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1908
Opera Ghost says:
Rats! I used to live in Mt. Prospect. Oh, well.
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 1:46 AM EST
Squib
Points: 146
~Mrs. Manda Radcliffe says:
I only live like an hour and a half away from there, I can't wait to go! How are they going to do the quidditch game though? I should dress up as Hagrid or something. (Yay! It's my birthday today!)
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 1:48 AM EST
Dan Radcliffe's Lovah
Points: 8781
JaDa Radcliffe says:
AHHHH That's like so WONDERFUL!!!=) I'm from Illinois.. Ooh, this is so exciting!! Oh July 16, come on now, come faster, please??=)
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 2:06 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1160
Sophia Veritas says:
WOWWWWW I don't live TOO terribly far from there...hopefully I can convince my friends that we should go!! It sounds AWESOME!
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 2:08 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1601
Dumbledore's Son says:
Well I sorta tried to ask my dad to take me (i'm in SC) he thought i was crazy!Said he wouldn't do a thing llike that for a stupid book I was completely and utterly enrage at that!the travel i understand but the comment how rude! Anyways it rocks that we can do stuff like that!
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 2:36 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1264
-Alf- says:
That city in Illinois is very lucky to have one those events. It's a shame that nothing that special would be made in other cities. I hope to go to one of those around my hometown but I don't know if it will be the same as that one. Then again, I shall make the best of it.
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 2:51 AM EST
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