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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, 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
Witch
Points: 585
MagicAliSomniac says:
The Chi Town party sounds fun... too bad I live in CA and not Illinois... the (lame) Costa Mesa party will have to do!
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 4:41 AM EST
The Girl Who Lived
Points: 4219
Tacha says:
That sounds sooooooooooo fantastic! I only wish an event like that could be organised a bit closer to Belgium... I hope that everyone who's going has a great time (but judging the activities list I have no doubt).
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 4:45 AM EST
Witch
Points: 832
latinabloomlova says:
Whoa! For the first time ever, something near to me!
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 6:11 AM EST
Squib
Points: 100
loony_lovegood15 says:
Man i wish i could go. congrats to HPANA for organizing this kool event.....
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 6:17 AM EST
Witch
Points: 577
SiriusLupinGirl says:
Sounds like it's gonna be an awesome party. I hope it goes well.
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 8:31 AM EST
Squib
Points: 152
you're_A_girl says:
You know, I think reading the book is celebration enough.
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 9:28 AM EST
The Absolute Professor
Points: 4217
*siriusblack* says:
Dang I wish I could go, I would loveto go that would be so freakin awesome, hopefully I can go to the one for the last book
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 10:46 AM EST
Witch
Points: 560
Cyril Caerphilly says:
This sounds absolutely fabulous! Wow, I wish I could get there for this. I'm sure New York City will be alive and buzzing...
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 11:10 AM EST
Witch
Points: 756
MeerzBeerz says:
Wow, people preparing for this event, goes to show how close the release of this book is! I wonder if london is going to do anything? Probably not knowing them.
Gettin close now.......
Meerz
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 11:17 AM EST
Witch
Points: 756
MeerzBeerz says:
Wow, people preparing for this event, goes to show how close the release of this book is! I wonder if london is going to do anything? Probably not knowing them.
Gettin close now.......
Meerz
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 11:18 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1031
HPfanatic10 says:
Wow that's great for people in Illinois.
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 11:43 AM EST
Magickal Mead Wench
Points: 2505
SnapesSorceress says:
I am continually floored by the creativity and professionalism of HPANA and various other HP fan sites. This event is nothing short of a coordinational feat of epic proportions! I am amazed by what all these talented folks have put together, I only wish that I could be there to experience all the magic! I'll be at my local Barnes and Noble that night--not Chicago, but it will still be an experience! It was in '03! But congrats again to HPANA for being so damn awesome!
SnapesSorceress
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 11:44 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1208
danradcliffelovr says:
Wow! It sounds like such a huge event! Too bad I don't live in Illinois. Well hope HPANA will have plenty of pics for us fans unable to go to see.
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 12:20 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1228
Hermy-ninny Granger says:
Too bad I don't live anywhere near the fun. I am half way around the world from them! Literally!
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 1:24 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1392
SiriusFan says:
I've done it, I've registered for Spellbound 2005! So I may be crazy since I live in OH but I've just gotta go to this party (it'll be my first release party). I have convinced my sister and mother to go with me. If my sister has to work then my Mom is going to go with me. She said she thinks it'll be fun. HA HA. Of course neither of them are into HP like me but that's okay I'll get to meet and mingle with 10,000+ other people who are! I can't wait to meet some of the fellow HPANA-ers. Eww, this is gonna be so much fun. Now I'm really counting down the minutes. My six year old is excited too. She said she wants to dress up as Hermione *smile* and wants to get a wand like Hermione too. I'm so proud, I've raised her right. *laughs* See you guys there!
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 2:45 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1961
Wart says:
Hey, that does look as if it will be most awesome. Doesn't it seem that these crazy cool events are never even close to where you live...?
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 3:17 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 56
Ronmidget says:
I so wish i could go. I have to stay at home and read it.
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 3:37 PM EST
Witch
Points: 537
em_watson_rox_on says:
OOO. A little too far for me. i'll go to Borders at midnight and have a blast anyway.
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 3:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 557
Amelia Black says:
That sounds cool. I would love to go. I would beg my Dad to take me. (Note: Chicago is half way across the state from me) I'm sure if I begged him he'd let me, but he'll be in Florida then which really sucks.
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 3:57 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 465
Emmy Potter says:
This is just not fair at all!! I'm going to be in Chicago a month before that! Boo-hoo! I must strive harder! Mwahahaha!!
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 4:42 PM EST
Witch
Points: 795
Emma Look Alike says:
Wow!! That is so rad! The people in that city are so lucky!! Sounds like bunches of fun! Well Im glad someone out there is as happy as I am.Laugh Out Loud. I am looking foward to this more than my birthdat..and my birthday comes before the books comes out! Ahhh
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 5:10 PM EST
Profesora de la Paz
Points: 2824
Sassafras says:
The folks in the Chicago area as well as those able to travel will most likely be in for a wonderful experience! I'll be with you all in spirit...although I'll be taking part in a personal ritual shared by my brother and me on release nights! Enjoy!
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 5:19 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1246
TybaltTheCannibal says:
Sounds like all kinds of fun. If only I was in Chicago I'd go and check out the festivities. Everyone that gets a chance to go is going to have a great time. I'd love to see the live wizards chess!
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 5:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 983
LuNaWaNaBe says:
Wow! I want to go! My mom will never let me though, we live too far away. Nothing exciting ever happens in Florida.
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 6:04 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1749
TUCBIDG says:
That's awesome. Too bad I don't live anywhere near where it's happening. I'd go if I could though.
Posted Jun 7, 2005 at 6:13 PM EST
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